1st Week in Ord. Time, Saturday – 14th January 2023 — Gospel: Mark 2,13-17
Proof of an Unconditional Love
There are two episodes which are connected in today’s Gospel. The first is the call of Levi and the second is the dinner in Levi’s house during which Jesus eats with tax collectors and sinners. There are two reasons for eating with them: to manifest the depth of his love for everyone, and to show how we must love others unconditionally. St. Paul expresses that “God proves his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5,8). Loving a person unconditionally does not mean that we accept their sin casually. We love them despite their sin and hope that one day they will leave it aside. Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners for the same reason he called Levi to follow him: because he loves each one and wants to share his life with every one.
