Desert Reflections: Taking inventory

The Calling of St. Matthew by Vittore Carpaccio (1502)

The Pharisees in today’s gospel find Jesus’ association with tax collectors and sinners morally repugnant. The Pharisees, Fr Charlie points out, are taking a moral inventory – of Jesus. While taking a moral inventory can be a helpful step, it can be so only if it’s directed towards ourselves and not others.

Today’s Readings

Isaac took Rebekah into his tent; he married her, and thus she became his wife. In his love for her, Isaac found solace after the death of his mother Sarah.
GN 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67

Many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
MT 9:9-13