Posted by The WORD in other words (2022) by Fr Alfonso Araceli SVD – University of San Carlos, Cebu City
Friday 13th Week in Ordinary Time
Mother Teresa’s gesture of gathering poor people in Kolkata, India, to her convent acknowledged their dignity as human persons. She visited families, washed the sores of some children, cared for an older man lying sick on the road, and nursed a woman dying of hunger and tuberculosis. She started each day with communion then went out, rosary in her hand, to find and serve him amongst “the unwanted, the unloved, the uncared for.” (catholic.org)
For sure, she must have patterned her gesture of kindness after Jesus’ example in the gospel. Jesus sought the marginalized and the lost sheep among God’s people. These people were given the dignity to renew their lives, like Matthew, the tax collector whom Jesus asked to follow Him.
What is so significant are the words of Jesus often repeated as “those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do” and also “I desire mercy not sacrifice, I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
Hopefully, these words will make us realize the depth of our need for Christ as the one who can heal our wounded selves. Disregarding the pharisaical attitude among our peers will surely give us the leverage to renew ourselves and go back to God’s fold with the purity of heart.
In the first reading (Year 2), the prophet Amos describes greed and commercialism during his time; while others enjoyed prosperity and luxury, others went hungry. This is contrary to the will of God for us, as shown by Jesus and Mother Teresa. If we want to encourage people to follow Christ, then it is by our good example that attracts people to him.
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