Saturday 8 March

Isaiah 58:9-14, Ps 86, Luke 5:27-32

Love the needy

Why would Jesus make friends with people considered “lowlifes” by their peers? Tax collectors in Jesus’ time were considered a very low form of life indeed. Yet Jesus constantly sought them out. Why?

Jesus explains this clearly – they require help and there is little sense in giving assistance to the able and ignoring the suffering. Yet despite this completely rational advice, the temptation to judge those in want can blind us from their urgent need for our assistance.

Let us pray for open hearts so we can bring others, especially those in the greatest need, closer to God.