First Week in Ordinary Time, Saturday

Lionel Bart's musical Oliver has become the fastest selling stage show in the West End. Part of the new attraction of the musical is that it stars the winner of the BBC Talent show ‘I’ll do Anything,’ Jodie Prenger, as Nancy but the other attraction, of course, is that it stars the comedy actor Rowan Atkinson as Fagin. The character of Fagin is a colourful and well-known one and has been played so well by many talented performers over the years. One reporter said, ‘What is a revelation is that Atkinson can not only hold a tune but can make you feel sympathetic towards this scoundrel.’

In the gospel reading we have a scoundrel in our midst, a tax collector. Matthew by name. He, like many if not most tax collectors of the day was looked upon as a devious character who colluded with the occupying authorities and who, from time to time, would pick a pocket or two. The people just cannot believe that Jesus is bothering to bother with him. And not only is Matthew called, invited, beckoned (choose your own word) to follow Jesus, he invites him to his house for dinner. ‘Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ they ask. Jesus is spending time with scoundrels. The onlookers don’t like it. They think it's time he reviewed the situation. Yet Jesus is full of sympathy and, more than that, with compassion for these scoundrels. He overhears the remarks. ‘I did not come to call the virtuous,’ he said ‘but sinners.’

We are often on both sides of that story. There are times when we may be surprised that we are called by Jesus, or that he (or anyone else for that matter) would bother to bother with us. And there are other times when we look on and wonder why anyone would want to waste their time spending time or giving time to those we may consider being far from perfect and who don’t fit into our idea of what’s acceptable or tidy. But Jesus has indeed come to call sinners, and that includes you and me. Jesus does not dish out meagre portions of his love and compassion. He lavishes it upon us. As the letter writer to the Hebrews says: ‘Let us be confident, then, in approaching the throne of grace, that we shall have mercy from him and find grace to help in time of need.’ So here we are to dine with Jesus, and what gifts he lavishes upon us in the Eucharist. So, sit up, eat up, get your feet under the table, there is plenty to go around…even for us scoundrels!

Readings: Hebrews 4:12 -16; Mark 2:13-17

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7830126.stm

St Antony, Abbot
Today is the memorial of St Antony, Patriarch of Monks, St. Antony (251-356) retired to the desert when he was eighteen years old. He was the first abbot to form a stable rule for his family of monks. His talents at spiritual direction were famous, and many people travelled to the desert to seek his advice