Fidelity at all costs is a virtue!

July 04, 2025  Friday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Daily Readings: Genesis 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67; Matthew 9:9-13

At Sarah’s death, Abraham mourns deeply and ensures she is buried with honor, purchasing land at a significant cost. He buries his wife in his own land, a symbolic gesture of belonging and faith in God’s promise. As a responsible father, he now seeks a suitable spouse for his son Isaac. One of Abraham’s most striking instructions is that Isaac must never return to the land from which Abraham was called. To go back would be to insult God’s call and promise. Abraham also instructs his servant to remain faithful to the task and to the oath he has taken.

As per Abraham’s wish, Rebekah comes to Negeb, where Isaac is settled. Isaac marries her and finds comfort in her after the loss of his mother. The servant fulfills his duty with care and integrity. Every character in this narrative is marked by faithfulness.

Jesus encounters Matthew at his tax booth, a place associated with greed, betrayal, and corruption. Despised by his own people for serving the Romans and exploiting them, Matthew is an unlikely candidate for discipleship. But God sees differently. Jesus calls him, and Matthew responds wholeheartedly, leaving everything behind. He celebrates his call by hosting a banquet for Jesus, the disciples, and fellow tax collectors and sinners. His joy at being chosen marks his transformation.

Through this moment, Jesus teaches three powerful truths:
 (i) The healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do;
 (ii) God desires mercy, not sacrifice; and
 (iii) He calls not the righteous, but sinners.
God’s vision is inclusive, merciful, and far beyond human judgment.

Call to Action: 

Be faithful to God's call and embrace His mercy with a willing heart.