Jesus saw the Tax Collector but not the Taxes/Money

Gospel Thoughts*

*Saturday after Ash Wednesday*

*GOSPEL - Lk 5:27-32*

*First Reading - Is 58:9b-14*

*Jesus saw the Tax Collector but not the Taxes/Money*

*1) Jesus Saw the Tax Collector*

The Gospel begins with this sentence *Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi*

The seeing of Jesus about the tax collector is very important because, there were things around the Tax collector, but Jesus didn't see the things, but He saw the person - the Tax collector

*2) What is the significance of the Tax Collector*

During the time of Jesus, tax collectors were considered to be the great sinners 

Here when Jesus sees the tax collector Levi, this gesture of Jesus is not limited only to Levi 

The tax collector Levi represents the whole sinful race, who needs the mercy of the Lord 

So the tax collector has a deep meaning than the peripheral meaning. 

*3) Seeing of the Tax Collector within me*

As Jesus saw the tax collector at the tax office, I need to see a tax collector within me 

As we know that the tax collectors were considered as sinners, there is a sinful self - a tax collector with in me, which I need to find out 

*4) Lent is a time to find out this tax collector within me*

Lent is a special season to find out this tax collector who is hiding me 

When Jesus met the tax collector, he simply followed Jesus and got converted to a new life 

During lent it is very important that we search this tax collector who is hiding within me and to bring him before the Lord, so that the real conversion takes place 

*5) Why Jesus saw the tax collector and not the money*

Who concern of Jesus was the person and not the things

Jesus saw the tax collector because His heart and Mind was for the tax collectors and sinners

Jesus saw the tax collectors because He loved them and not the things of this world 

*For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also*  - Matthew 6:21. Jesus' treasure was the sinners. So His heart was for the tax collector and not for things 

*6) Who/What do I see?*

Jesus saw the tax collector with a greater purpose 

Where do I see? Or what do I see in my day today life? 

Some see the money and go behind it 

Some see the things and desire for it 

Others see, beauty, external glory, pomp, power and achievements

Still others see their self as, so important, powerful, influential, mightier, all knowing, and indispensable

Depends on ones aptitude one will develop his/her out look towards people and the things 

*7) Where do I see the tax collector?*

Do I have the tendency to see the tax collector only in others?

Am I able to see a tax collector in my own life? 

How many tax collectors you can see in your own life? 

*8) Sacrament of Reconciliation is the tool to treat the Tax collector*

Through the sacrament of reconciliation one can bring this tax collector to the presence of Jesus 

In other words through the sacrament of reconciliation Jesus encounters this tax collector in our life and asks him to follow Jesus 

Levi the Tax collector followed Jesus and he became Mathew the Evangelist

That is the power of Jesus' seeing and following Him.

*9) The Challenge between the Tax collector and the Things/Money*

Spiritual things calls us to see the tax collector in and around us and also within us 

The world tempts to see the things/money at the tax booth leaving the tax collector. 

So there is constant struggle to see the tax collector and the taxes/money 

How can I face this challenge during this Lent? 

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*