"I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Mark 2:17

When Jesus called his table companions, he assembled the least, the last, and the loathsome.  He called the "undesirables," the "riff-raff" of his society.  In today's Gospel, we find him eating with tax collectors and sinners.  He had table fellowship (an intimate act in his culture and time) with people considered "unclean" and "unholy."  He probably scandalized the religious and political leaders who lived in dread fear of his popularity with the outcasts, and his message of good news for the poor.

Perhaps, if Jesus were around today, we might be surprised at whose company he kept - probably not the wealthy and powerful, the CEOs and celebrities.  Instead of being on his side, political and religious leaders would likely find him threatening.  Pop cultural icons would find him laughable, a "nobody," and completely irrelevant.  Today's religious folks might even accuse him of being a sinner - somebody to keep outside the church!  Likely, he would be associating with the traitors and terrorists, the perverse and the deranged, the poor, and the homeless.  He would probably be calling the discarded, despised, and ostracized people of our society to be his followers.  Before long, his adversaries would find a way to eliminate him as a threat to their way of life.  After a while, a love that lifts up the poor and the undesirable people of the world usually gets crucified.

If Jesus were to come to me today, and to call me, how would I hear him?  Would I even recognize his voice amidst the din of media ads and the busyness of my lifestyle?  How would I receive him?  Would his message of love and forgiveness of enemies penetrate my heart, and lead me away from my desire for revenge?  Or would I want to shut him up, get rid of him, and remain complacent in my default mode of violent retaliation?

Would he - Jesus - the "nobody," the lover of the underdog - attract me?  Would I embrace someone I have been taught to hate, or pity, or just ignore?  Would I attract him - I who find myself so attached to an economic, political, and religious identity?  Would I follow his lead of healing ailments of all kinds, feeding hungers unknown, embracing sinners, and including them in my community?  Or would it be too risky?

What could he want with me, the sinner?  Maybe if I tried to hide my sinfulness, and make myself look holy…  He can't really love me like I am!  Could I let him love me even in my sinfulness?  Or, would my self-righteousness prevent me from finding intimacy with him?  Would I even admit it if I wanted his companionship?  Would I be too afraid and jealous of other sinners he calls?  Could he possibly want me just as I am?

Jesus is indeed calling and inviting all of us sinners to the throne of God, and to the table of Thanksgiving!  It is there that we find mercy, healing, and abundant grace.  We are all guests of a most gracious host, and intimate companions with this passionate lover of sinners.  He is calling.  Come to the feast!  Taste and see the goodness of the Lord!