Isaiah 58:9-14 / Luke 5:27-32
At any point in time, we can surely think of a person or persons that we have difficulties relating with.
We may feel uncomfortable about that person, or cannot accept certain qualities about that person, or that person may have hurt us before.
Hence human relationships are often laced with anything from indifference to intolerance.
Of course, as the disciples of Jesus, we will try and strive to resolve our differences.
But the moment we get hurt again or feel that it is pointless or feel that there can be no change for the better, we will immediately and conveniently give up.
But in today's gospel, we see Jesus approaching someone whom we would automatically ostracize in our lives, especially if that person has betrayed us and sold us out.
Levi was such a person and yet Jesus not only approached him, but even called him to follow Him.
Jesus came to bring together all peoples into the peace and unity of God's kingdom.
In our Lenten journey ahead, let us heed the word of the Lord from the 1st reading.
Let us release our clenched fists and drop the wicked word.
Then our light will begin to shine for others and our own shadows will be shortened.