“Jesus Comes For Sinners….. Join The Club ”

Sometimes I come across a story that really startles me, that knocks me back, even convicts me. As I read it, I may not initially be convicted, but gradually I come to realize that woe, this applies to me. You may recall when Nathan the prophet told David the story of the rich landowner who stole the poor man’s lamb… initially David was outraged against this brutal man but then came to realize that he (David) was that man. (2Sam.12:1-8) 

In today’s reading from the book of Wisdom (2:1-22), the wicked set themselves up as god, as judge, jury, and executioner; with arrogance they pontificate about the status of this man, who prefigures Christ himself. Time after time, they refer to themselves as US….. “ let us beset the just one … he reproaches us… charges us…merely to see him is a hardship to us… he judges us… let us see, let us find out whether his words are true… let us put him to the test…let us condemn him to a shameful death…”. These wicked men set themselves up as gods …. arrogant, proud, smug, condescending. As I read this, I’m appalled and I think, “who in hell, do they think they are?” 

Yet isn’t this really the attitude of all sinners? “I’ll decide what I do…..my pleasure and comfort will rule the day…. sure God says to do this and not that, but I’ll decide….I know a thing or two…. you know, I have a philosophy of life… I’m no dummy…let us decide about this situation and that situation…..” Hmmmmm, I think I may have acted like this at times…at too many times. 

“These were their thoughts, but they erred; for their wickedness blinded them, and they knew not the hidden counsels of God; neither did they count on a recompense of holiness nor discern the innocent souls’ reward.” (ibid)

During this holy season of Lent, let us not be too quick to exonerate ourselves from the company of sinners….. thanking God I’m not like these other men ….. remember the parable of the Pharisee…. who stood and prayed ‘God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all…… bla,bla,bla,bla …..”. (Luke 18:11-12).

Let us not be afraid to be part of the company of sinners who need a savior. Jesus  came for sinners, for the unrighteous, not for the “self-righteous”. Let us not be afraid to drop to our knees in front of Jesus the Lord, knowing our great need for his mercy and forgiveness. 

In this great love of God, we repentant sinners will be raised up into a fatherly embrace where we are transformed from a desperate sinner into a purified son and daughter of God. Let’s recall the wonderful exhortation of St. John Paul II, “Don’t be afraid”. We don’t have to be afraid. We don’t have to die in our sins. Christ has come to save us. And this is such good news.