January 14, 2023, Saturday of week 1 Ordinary Time A

Hebrews 4:12-16

Psalm 19

Mark 2:13-17

“Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”  Mark 2:16

Lord, if you didn’t eat with sinners, you’d eat alone. You turned many things up-side-down during your time on earth but none as stunning as your contact with those the righteous considered lost to God. Tax collectors were evil, despised traitors who exploited the people and made a profit on their suffering. They were the worst of the worst. Yet your heart went out to them for they needed saving too. You even chose one of them, Levi, later to be called Matthew, to join your inner circle and eventually to author an awesome, inspired Gospel. You ignored the conventional thinking and saw Levi’s potential. You had great plans for him. Lord, despite my sin you see my potential too. Thank you for not turning away from me as a lost cause. I don’t know how I can fulfill your dream for me, but I accept your invitation to follow you. I know not where you will lead me, but it surely will be a better place than where I was. Lord, I offer you all my shortcomings, sins, and fears. Help me to walk forward, trusting in you completely.  Amen.