We shall begin this reflection with a very important question, namely; why do some people shy away from being identified with God?
Have you noticed that there are some people who love God but are afraid or are shy to be identified as one who loves God.
This should not be surprising in a world like ours where every attraction is a disguised effort by the enemy of the word of God to draw the children of God away from God and to himself.
Now, going back to answer the question above, the reason why people shy away from being identified with God even when they love him is what I classified to be as a result of personal and public opinions.
The personal opinion of some persons about their lives prevents them from drawing closer to God or being identified with him. These persons think that their sins are too much, and they find it very difficult to forgive themselves and also are not able to put their past life behind themselves consequently, feeling that they should not get close to God or be identified with God in their state of being.
Secondly, others shy away from being identified with God as a result of people’s opinions about them. These are the persons who have unconsciously or consciously accepted other people’s options about their lives. In other words, these persons have been written off and classified as sinners by the society, and so, it looks strange for such to find themselves identified with God.
However, we must note that Jesus is for all and has come to make sure that salvation is attainable by all. And so, the like the tax collectors who broke all barriers and undermined every external opinion and decided to sit with Jesus at table as seen in the gospel text of today, we too must make effort to break away from every negative thoughts we have about ourselves and the ones that others have about us which stand as barrier between us and God. Only then can we really be drawn to God and acknowledge the essence of his salvific mission for humanity.
Let the words of Jesus Christ continue to resound in our hearts that, “…It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. Go and learn the meaning of the words: What I want is mercy, not sacrifice. And indeed, I did not come to call the virtuous, but sinners.”
May the Lord give us the grace for true repentance and be drawn closer to Him.
Peace be with you 🙏🏾🙌🏾
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