The Beauty of THREE TABLES

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Lenten Season :  Saturday after Ash Wednesday*

*Gospel :  Mt 5:27-32*

*First Reading : Is 58: 9-14*

*Responsorial Psalm : 86: 1-6*

*The Beauty of THREE TABLES 

*1) The Table at the Tax Office*

This is the Table where Levi was first found

This is the table of work, compromise, and routine life.

Levi (Matthew) was sitting at a tax booth — a place associated with: Money, Power, Corruption, Social rejection

It was not a holy place. It was not a synagogue. It was not a temple.

Yet that is exactly where Jesus called him.

*Reflection:* Jesus meets us at the table where we actually live — even if it is messy.

Our workplace, our office desk, our daily responsibilities can become the place of calling.

No table is too secular for grace.

The tax office table reminds us: God’s call begins in ordinary life.

*2) The Dining Table at Matthew’s House*

This is the table where sinners sat with Jesus in Mathews House 

After being called, Levi did something extraordinary — he hosted a banquet.

The dining table becomes: A place of celebration, A place of friendship, A place of inclusion,  A place where the “unworthy” are welcomed

The Pharisees complained: “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

Jesus answered: “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

*Reflection* : The dining table becomes a place of mission. Evangelization happens around meals. Hospitality becomes a form of theology.

 

This table shows: Grace is not private — it invites others.

The table in Matthew’s house is where sinners become guests, and guests become disciples.

*3) The Eucharistic Table : The table of communion*

The Eucharistic table connects deeply with the banquet at Matthew’s house.

In the Eucharist: Christ still sits with sinners. The unworthy are invited. Mercy is served as food.

Just as Levi’s table gathered the rejected, the Eucharistic table gathers: The weak, The broken, The repentant

The Church is not a reward for the righteous — it is a hospital for sinners.

*Reflection*: At the tax office table, Levi was called.

At his dining table, he welcomed others.

At the Eucharistic table, we receive the One who called us.

This is a spiritual progression: Called → Converted → Sent → Nourished

*4) Connection between Three Tables* 

*Tax Office Table* - Where we are found - God calls us in our imperfection

*Matthew’s Dining Table* - Where we gather others - Grace overflows into hospitality

*Eucharistic Table* - Where we receive Christ - Mercy becomes communion

All three tables teach us: Jesus crosses boundaries. No life situation is beyond redemption. The table is where relationships are restored. Conversion is never meant to remain private.

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*