I desire mercy, not sacrifice. (Matthew 9:13)

In today’s gospel, some Pharisees asked Jesus’ disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” (Matthew 9:11). This question is similar in tone to the older brother’s remarks to his father about the wayward son: “For all these years I have been working like a slave for you . . . yet you have never even given me a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back . . . you killed the fatted calf for him!” (Luke 15:29-30).

In dining with people who had a bad reputation, Jesus showed the compassion he has for us, a compassion which he calls us to show to one another. But we can’t give what we don’t have. That’s why it is so important to make sure we are constantly receiving the mercy of God in our hearts.

God desires mercy, not sacrifice. He sent his Son to love us so powerfully that his love would spill out to everyone around us. Of course he wants us to show mercy, but he knows that only happens to the degree that we receive mercy.

Choose today to be a generous receiver. Try to sit down with your Bible and contemplate the readings from Mass. Quiet your mind and let God show you his mercy. Let him reveal the tenderness with which he looks at you, so that you will be able to share that mercy and love with everyone around you.

“Lord Jesus Christ, I praise you for your mercy and forgiveness. Make me a vessel of your mercy for the world. May your kingdom come!”

Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men

1. In the first reading, God gets right to the heart of what he is expecting from us: “it is love that I desire”. Our ability to love God is itself a gift from God. Have you ever asked him to give you that gift? Do you believe God wants to give you this gift if you ask for it in prayer? Are you willing to find out? Why or why not? What practical steps can you take to try to get to know God better in your prayer time, and to love him more deeply?
   
    
2. We also know that, “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). What practical steps can you take this week to experience God’s love more deeply as you come to him in Mass or in your personal times of prayer?
   
    
3. In the responsorial psalm, we are instructed: “offer to God praise.” How much of your prayer time is devoted to praising God instead of asking for favors? What can you do in your prayer time to make it more full of praise and worship?
   
    
4. St. Paul tells us in the second reading that Abraham was “fully convinced” that what God “had promised he was also able to do.” Do you go through the day fully anchored in that knowledge? What are the things in your life that tend to weaken your faith? What are the things in your life that strengthen your faith? How can you decrease the former, while increasing the latter?
   
    
5. In the Gospel, Jesus says “follow me” and Matthew’s life is changed forever. Jesus has said, “follow me” to each one of us. How can you respond more deeply to this call of Jesus.
   
    
6. In the Gospel, Jesus himself repeats words found in the first reading: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” Jesus’ care and attention for those who were despised and rejected was constant and compassionate. How can you follow Jesus more closely by caring for the many unfortunate in today’s society?
   
    
7. The meditation reminds us that we can only give to others (e.g., compassion and forgiveness) what we ourselves first received from God. It then tells us to be a “generous receiver” of God’s love and mercy. Practically speaking, what can you do this week to open your self to being a “generous receiver” of God’s love and mercy?