Followers of  Jesus or the Pharisees.

The Pharisees were complaining…and Jesus said, “ I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”(Lk 5.32)

 Jesus went to the house of Mathew to seek and to save. He is the Shepherd who goes in search. The Pharisee too went to the house of Mathew but  to grumble and to complain.

Jesus' mission is to seek, save, forgive and to cure . The Pharisees mission is to complain, grumble, catch  accuse  and condemn

Jesus' mission is to solve problems of people, curing the sick, feeding the hungry and giving sight to the blind. The Pharisees' mission is to ask questions. Why do you eat with sinners? Why do you not fast? Why do you forgive sins? Why do you cure on a Sabbath? They ask questions not to get an honest answer but to catch Jesus, to test him.

Jesus found people like Mathew, Zachheus, and the Samaritan woman and gave them a new life. Pharisees found the disciples picking corn, disciples not fasting; the woman committing adultery, they find people to condemn and accuse.

We find these two types of people everywhere in every generation in politics, in the church, in religious life.  Some bring relief, joy, and happiness. Others' job is to be in the opposition always, to find fault, to ask questions.  We see it so clearly in Indian politics.

It is not only in politics but also in the Church and but also in religious life we find these two groups.  Where do we belong? Lent is inviting us to look at ourselves honestly to see if we are like Jesus, bringing joy and happiness to people or are we permanent opposition members. Some people pray with St. Francis Assisi  let me bring light where there is darkness, let me bring unity where there is division, let me bring peace where there is strife. Others pray with Pharisees. Let me bring strife where there is peace,  let me bring discord where there is unity,  let me bring darkness where there is light.

To which group do we belong? At the beginning of Lenten season God places before us a choice :  Life and death , blessing and curse. Let us choose Life and Blessing. Let us follow Jesus and not the Pharisees. “ Follow me“ is the invitation of Jesus that comes to us again and again.                               - Fr T.V.George sdb