St Paul tells us that we are called to a mission of building up the body of Christ. Even the smallest task is important in this ministry. What is important is to serve the Lord. Our service may be to our family, workplace, parish, community or to the society at large. We need to do the task with patience, gentleness, humility, bearing with one another in love and in peace. In the Gospel proclamation we see Jesus calling Matthew the tax collector to follow him. Subsequently Jesus has a meal with tax collectors and sinners. The Pharisees tried to find fault with Jesus. They obviously could not understand Jesus’ action. Are we too, at times like the Pharisees trying to find fault with our families, communities and parishioners who are trying to carry on the mission, when our thinking pattern is different to theirs. Have we hindered the work of others because of our brokenness? Have we valued human recognition more than seeing the move of God? May God reveal to us our hidden motives and purify our intentions.

Prayer: Abba Father, empower us to carry out the mission that you have entrusted to us. Amen.