The importance of seeking the life-giving word of the Lord is the theme of our readings today. In the first reading from Amos, we hear God warning of a coming famine, not of bread or water, but of hearing the word of the Lord. This is a powerful warning for us today, as we often get caught up in our busy lives and neglect to listen to God's word and the many ways he desires to communicate it to us.
The people in Amos' time were more concerned with their material needs and desires than with seeking God's guidance. They trampled on the poor and marginalized, and used false measures and weights to take advantage of them. But God saw this and vowed to punish them for their wicked ways. He promised to bring a famine upon them, a famine that would last until they learned how to care for the poor and to seek Him. Although there is yet so much to be desired when it comes to looking after our less fortunate brothers and sisters in today’s world, we have made some strides. We are always invited and challenged to do a bit more, however.
One of our greatest assets for evangelization as Franciscans is our soup kitchens throughout the world for example. Here we feed the Lord’s precious ones for bodily sustenance, and hope to open the door to be able to feed them spiritually as well what every soul hungers for: the voice of God.
Jesus, in today's Gospel, is seeking out those who are sick, those who are in need of healing and salvation. He doesn't go to those who are already whole and healthy, but to those who are broken and searching for a way out. Matthew was one of those tax collectors enslaved by sin, and longing for freedom. Jesus says, "It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick." This is a powerful reminder that we are all in need of God's mercy and healing, regardless of our outward circumstances. Matthew responds to our Lord’s call and follows him, leaving his old life behind so as to allow Jesus’ truth to set him free as he embarks on this journey of self-discovery and union with God.
As we reflect on these readings today, let us ask ourselves: Am I seeking the word of the Lord in my life? Am I more concerned with material possessions and desires or with seeking God's guidance? Am I willing to listen to His word and respond to His call like Saint Matthew and so many others did?
An important question we also need to ask so as to be intellectually satisfied and prepared, concerns the bible itself, i.e., what we believe is God’s word. We need to have some basic knowledge as to how the bible came about; why there are 73 books in the Catholic bible, as opposed to the 66 in the Protestant’s? How do we know the bible is truly inspired by God? These are not questions which keep many people awake at night, but they should, if we are basing an entire lifestyle on following Jesus, the primary source for his life and teachings, being the Sacred Scriptures and oral Tradition. So, my brothers and sisters, I would encourage you to delve deep into such questions, because at some point you will inevitably be
confronted with this sort of speculation by family members and non-Catholics alike, and it is always good to deepen your conviction so as to continue strengthening your overall faith and to be able to see beyond the deceptions which surround us.
As we navigate the challenges of our own lives, let us strive to live virtuously while simultaneously allowing for our souls to be enraptured by God's mercy and love. Let us seek out those who are lost and searching for a way out, just as Jesus searched out Matthew and pulled him out of the abyss he had fallen into. And let us be willing to listen to His word, even when it challenges us or makes us uncomfortable.
May we be people who are hungry for God's word, and may we never forget that it is not a famine of bread or water that we fear most, but a famine of hearing the voice of our Father in Heaven.
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