21 Sep 2009
Scandal at the dinner table
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
For 21 September 2009, Saint Matthew, based on Matthew 9:9-13
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.†And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?†But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.â€
Scripture passage from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright 1989, 1993, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
19 September 2009 @ 1:35 am
Gracias.
Prayer
Please free me from my selfishness
That shapes all that I see
Help me to be one with you
That I may come to be truly free
Help me see that all are welcome
At your table, at your place
That you have come for all of us
To give us each your saving grace
The rich man and the mendicant
The gentile and the Jew
The sinner and the saint, dear Lord
Each one is loved by you
Break the shackles I’ve come to make
To keep me safe and free
That make possible the life I live
Where I see what I want to see
Please let me let you touch me
As only you can do
That despite my emptiness and pride
I may be a bit like you
That I may love without condition
Everyone I come to meet
With compassion and forgiveness
Where the human and the sacred meet
That I may love you as my Father
Who loves all that he has made
Who welcomes all at this holy table
Without questioning the price he’s paid
Help me find each moment precious
Where your kindness makes me real
One with you and all your children
Where your love you come to seal
Help me share as you have shared
That I may somehow come to see
You welcome all to be with you
For with all you want to be
© Jim Espinosa 2009