Matthew 9:10-17
In today’s reading, the Pharisees accuse Jesus of “eating with tax collectors and sinners.”
In those days, two streams of religious thought were in tension with each other. One stream prioritized holiness and purity. This stream was about obeying all the rules and observing all the proper religious rituals, keeping the uncleanliness of sinful life away. These would be priestly concerns.
The other stream prioritized mercy and loving-kindness. Showing love and mercy meant caring for the sick, giving to the poor, and other works of social justice. This theme was the refrain of the prophets.
Jesus, who is both High Priest and Prophet, teaches the Pharisees, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice,” clearly taking the side of mercy. But it wasn’t because holiness, purity, and sacrifice were unimportant. It was because he could see that the Pharisees needed to learn mercy. Moreover, Jesus knew that only he could offer the perfect sacrifice as fully human and divine. He was the new thing that was not available to Israel before - the new wine.
Today, we still see the tension between those prioritizing religious purity versus those prioritizing relationships/mercy. Perhaps holiness is found when we graft our lives unto Jesus’.
Reflection by Keith Tan
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