Friday 7 July

Genesis 23:1–4,19–24:1– 8, 62–67; Psalm 106; Matthew 9:9–13

Jesus embodies mercy

Within healings of outsiders, Jesus calls a marginalized Jew to follow him. The tax collector, Matthew, belongs to a despised group who collaborated with the occupying Romans and were thought to be dishonest. Jesus and his disciples join tax collectors and sinners for dinner. This celebration has overtones of the Eucharist. Jesus embodies mercy and forgiveness in a wounded world by welcoming and eating with those excluded. When do I need mercy and forgiveness? When do I embody mercy and forgiveness? Who are my table companions?