Lenten Prayer Reflection by Kevin Finneran

LK 5:27-32
As a Catholic Teenager, the Gospel from Luke really speaks to me, in my daily life. Asking for and giving forgiveness is the way to be more like Jesus. In this Gospel story, Jesus calls over a tax collector named Levi, and asks him to follow Him. After this, a large gathering of tax collectors came to eat with Jesus. The tax collectors back then were hated by everyone, so to have someone that wasn’t a tax collector to actually eat with them was absurd. Seeing this, the Pharisees came over and asked Jesus , why would He do such a thing. Jesus then responded “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance, but sinners”. Jesus is saying that everyone, even if they have done you wrong, should be forgiven and given a second chance. We are like the tax collectors. Jesus calls us to repent for what we have done wrong in our lives. We are not all perfect, but if we ask for forgiveness, Jesus will forgive. This reminds me of a quote that the priest used one Sunday, during the Homily. He said, “Brothers and sisters, the Church is not a museum of saints, but instead a hospital for sinners.” He was so right. We are in Church to get stronger through God’s words and to ask God for forgiveness and guidance.