“Why are the people who go to our church weird,” I asked my dad when I was about fourteen years old. My father gave me a perspective that was sticky, an answer that was like a light, turning the words of Jesus into flesh, for my young and impressionable mind. In that moment he explained that Jesus came for people who knew they needed help (possibly weird, dorky, strange ect), He explained to me how these are the people are the ones who easily understand their need for God’s healing love and life giving spirit. Twenty-eight years latter I hear the words of Jesus below:

 

“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Jesus

 

I know I’m imperfect, and that I unknowingly twist reality incorrectly, even in all my best intentions. I affirm that I always will need to be showered by the mercy of God and with Jesus, need to dispense this mercy I receive as a sinner. Wait for one second, let us take out the word sinner here, and replace it with imperfect. I did not come to call the “perfect”, but “imperfect.” We must first stop demanding a sacrifice for our penance or failings, we must first receive the free grace that God pours upon all of us his children. When we accept this mercy, we then give it out and this is what brings us in tune with the spirit of God.

 

Teaching of Jesus number 10

Teaching: give out mercy and don’t scapegoat

 

Practice: to receive mercy and let it flow to those around you