The church is not the exclusive domain of the ‘saints’, on the contrary, Jesus calls even the ‘sinners’ to himself. Furthermore, within every individual Christian, we can find this dichotomy at work. Levi (Matthew) is a perfect example of this reality.

In Levi, we can see the sinner readily enough, and indeed, that is all the Pharisees and their scribes could see. Levi was a tax collector, raising funds that went to support the empire that occupied the Jewish nation and oppressed its people. He, and others like him, would have been despised and considered traitors. With this in mind, it is understandable enough that Jesus’ decision to call Levi and then eat with sinners shocked the Pharisees and their scribes.

Jesus is not oblivious to the sin, but he sees more. Looking through the lens of grace, he perceives the ‘saint’. While true holiness is the journey of a lifetime, and repentance is necessary, the emerging ‘saint’ within Levi can be seen right from the start. Levi responds to Jesus’ invitation in a way that is nothing less than extraordinary. He leaves everything and follows Jesus. How many ‘more respectable’ people found excuses not to follow Jesus that day?

During this Lenten season, we become more deeply aware of our ongoing call to follow Christ. We respond to the invitation of grace, yet if we have humility, we will recognise that our response is only ever partial. Let us view ourselves and others through the lens of grace, seeing both saint and sinner. We are all in need of the Divine Physician’s care, yet within each person, there is a saint waiting to emerge.

by Fr Michael Grace