Morning Prayer 2022 Day 40
God of sinners,
You call to Levi - follow me.
You call to me - and I try to follow you - sometimes - when I am actually paying attention.
Levi, the tax collector. Levi, the untrustworthy. Levi, the cheater - the one who takes advantage of people - robbing them of more than they owe.
Lord, often I hear my own words in those of the Pharisees. “Why do you eat with him?”
It is so easy to pass judgments on others when I don’t see myself the way you see me - as beloved. When I don’t see them the way you see them - yes, Lord, as beloved.
Instead, my mind shifts to alienation.
Why do you eat with sinners, Lord?
They don’t follow you? They don’t deserve you?
By saying this Lord, I miss that I too am a sinner. I don’t deserve you. I don’t follow you as you have called, and yet, as you remind the Pharisees, you also remind me.
You came for the sinners.
Not the righteous.
What the Pharisees missed is that no one is actually righteous - no one except you, Lord.
And in your righteousness, you make it possible for me to be loved, claimed, and saved.
You eat with me, Lord. Thank you!
Amen
Today’s Daily Scripture Reading
Daily Scripture readings are adapted from the upcoming readings as outlined by the Revised Common Lectionary. They reflect the New Revised Standard Version.
