Daily Gospel Reflection for January 16, 2017

Today's Gospel: Mark 2:18-22

We could call this passage and the verses before and after it "The Gotcha Gospel" because they recount several attempts by people to snag Jesus on a technicality. The sense is that they're overeager to catch Him in a hypocritical action.

"Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?" "Why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?" "Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" If you're ever discouraged because you cannot please everybody, re-read these verses. If even Jesus can't please 'em all, you will not either.

Following Jesus, then and now, requires ongoing conversion, a continual turning toward Christ and away from whatever impedes our progress. We need to grow in sanctity, often leaving behind habits, sins, prejudices, and old ways of doing things as we become new in Christ. Attempting to integrate the new into the old can prove disastrous. It is better to start afresh.

[Tweet "Following Jesus, then and now, requires ongoing conversion. By @CMAstfalk"]

Ponder:

Are you hanging on to pet sins that are keeping you from true conversion?

Pray:

Jesus, help me to see past my pettiness and to abandon all those things which keep me from growing closer to You.

Copyright 2017 Carolyn Astfalk