I have always sought perfection and wholeness/holiness even as I am deeply aware of my imperfections, shortcomings and sinfulness. But when this fact should be the source of my hopelessness, it is in fact a source of hope and encouragement for me. For my God is a God that seeks out sinners, the weak and the wrong so that He can bring me to perfection and heal me of my infirmities. He came not to condemn me but to bring me the fullness of life. He did not come to bring retribution but salvation.
Pope Francis echoed this recurrent Gospel theme in his Exhortation when he said: “The Eucharist, although it is the fullness of sacramental life, is not a prize for the perfect but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak.”
Today is the feast of the Infant Jesus ( Santo Nino ) in many places in the Philippines. It is amazing how we Filipinos have found great faith, consolation and joy in the Child Jesus, in His littleness and defenselessness, in utter dependence and trust in other people. God works out His mysteries in the most unexpected places and in the most unlikely ways.
My prayer today shall be: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof; but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.”
While he was at table in Levi’s house,
many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples;
for there were many who followed him.
Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with sinners
and tax collectors and said to his disciples,
“Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Jesus heard this and said to them,
“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
Mark 2:15-17