Aneel Aranha's video: January 16 2021 - The Pharisee in Us - A Reflection on Mark 2:13-17

Without realizing it, many of us today have become like the Pharisees we despise. But we can change. https://youtu.be/Ult0Mlv9oss Scripture Reading: Mark 2:13-17. Jesus went out again beside the sea; the whole crowd gathered around him, and he taught them. As he was walking along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were also sitting with Jesus and his disciples—for there were many who followed him. When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”When Jesus heard this, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.” When reading the gospels, I am sure that many of you, like me, have condemned the Pharisees for their actions. And what actions are these? Oh, there are many. Let's talk about the one in the passage we are reflecting upon. We find the Pharisees condemning not just the sinners but also Jesus. They were judging Jesus for associating with people who they considered despicable and disreputable. Reflection: Have we ever found ourselves looking down on people who don't belong to our circle: someone we consider a sinner or someone from another community or belief system? Have we been judgemental toward those who don't go to our church? Or, if they do, have we been judgemental toward those who belong to another ministry? Scripture asks us not to pass judgment on one another, but resolve instead to never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of another (see Romans 14:13). What does this kind of judgment do? It blocks the love and compassion we need to have for others. What did Jesus do when he met sinners? He accepted them with love. With love and acceptance comes healing and even a desire to change. And as we see here, this passage speaks not only of Matthew following him but several other sinners. Would being judgemental and staying away from them have helped? Paul says, "Live in harmony with one another; do not be proud, but associate with the lowly" (Romans 12:16). We can do this only if we see Christ in everyone. We are expected to see Christ in the poor, the needy, the sick, and those in prison (see Matthew 25:45). Many of us are also spiritually poor, prisoners of sin, and in need of healing. Jesus says, "Those who are well have no need of a physician but those who are sick, I have come to call not the righteous but the sinners" (Mark 2:17). Our judgment of people blinds us. It hardens our hearts, similar to what happened to the Pharisees. If we do the same, do you think that the Pharisee in us will be able to see Christ in all?