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Gospel Reflection – January 17, 2026
Memorial of Saint Anthony, Abbot
Not for the Righteous, but for Sinners
The sick man from yesterday was primarily physically ill; although he also needed forgiveness, his bodily paralysis was obvious. Levi, however, is morally sick. It’s not that collecting taxes is inherently immoral. But on one hand, someone handling large amounts of other people’s money is strongly tempted to skim off the top. Economic corruption is a very real possibility. Furthermore, in Jesus’ time, tax collectors (publicans) were collaborators with the Roman power for whom they collected taxes. So, they were hated twice over: impure for dealing with Gentiles, and immoral for being opportunists, extortionists, and cheaters.
Jesus’ action of approaching and calling people of the “worst kind” indicates that no one is bad by definition, and there is no evil or sin that cannot be repented of. This means God never loses hope and never stops believing in us.
God’s choice has an element of mystery to it. It often gives the impression that He chooses the best, as it might have seemed in the case of Saul. But Jesus approaches those considered the worst, as in the case of Levi. In reality, God calls everyone, addressing the core of goodness that exists in each person, hoping for a positive response.
Saul was chosen because he stood out in appearance, valor, and merit: “Saul was an impressive young man without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the others” (1 Sam 9:2). But he did not respond with faithfulness and ended up disappointing that hope. Levi was called despite his sinful condition, yet he responded with promptness and fidelity.
At this beginning of Ordinary Time, Jesus approaches each of us and calls us, regardless of our merits or our sins. But we are the ones who must respond. We do this—aided by His grace—by repenting of our sins, changing our lives, following Jesus, and placing ourselves at the service of the Kingdom of God and the cause of the Gospel.
This is not a utopian ideal that is desirable but impossible to practice. The saints help us understand that the Gospel ideal can be incarnated in our lives. Today, the Church proposes the example of Saint Anthony Abbot, one of the fathers of Christian monasticism.