Saturday after Ash Wednesday Spiritual Digest

Ish 58:9-14, Lk. 5:27-32. The first four days of Lent offer an introduction to our Lenten journey. The readings for the first part of Lent have been arranged as a mini-catechism for those who journey to the reception of Baptism and Communion at Easter. Today's first reading presents us with the second half of the "Song of the Suffering Servant of Yahweh. Through the prophet, God made it known to us how He dislikes the type of fasting that is abominable and expects us to turn away from our evil ways, so that He will renew and restore us: the fast that is empty and without devotion, charity and justice. The fast desired by God is that which helps us to avoid the oppression of the poor, false accusation and malicious speech and be generous to the hungry.

To join in the ministry of satisfying the hungry with good things, in today's Gospel, Jesus calls Levi and restores his dignity, so that he can become a door of salvation to bring others to Christ. The Lord we have is one who heartily loves and accepts each individual in their unique personhood, just as our genes and our past experiences have made us. His open acceptance of Levi’s dinner invitation with his friends, which later led to Levi becoming a trusted disciple, is typical of this “Man for Others.” The converted tax collector is not despised as a second-class citizen, simply for his job and the company he kept. Although he came late into the Lord’s circle of friends, he made a great contribution to the early Church by retelling his memories of Jesus.

Lord, help us turn our eyes to God and His healing invitation to leave behind unnecessary things in order to follow Christ and place our lives in His hands! Amen!! Good morning and have a pleasant day!!!