READ: MATTHEW 9: 9-17
When he heard this, Jesus replied, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor-sick people do.”
A colleague once remarked, “The Department does two things quite well, give you a nice retirement party and a great funeral.” I recalled the remark as I was actively involved planning the retirement celebration for one of the Department’s senior executives. He had accepted the job of Chief of Police in another state and asked me to be the Master of Ceremonies at his retirement event.
The issue of where our new Chief was going to set quickly came to the forefront of the planning agenda. It was an awkward situation because he had been brough in from an outside agency following a political misstep in which the retiring officer was initially given the position. In reality, the retiring Major had been— “Chief for a Day.” I was instructed not to put the new Chief at the Head Table as potential interfamily animosity could ruin the event. Not a problem I thought. Historically the Chief did not sit at the Head Table as it was reserved for the retiree’s immediate family and close friends. Chiefs would simply enter with the other guests and find a seat. My problem was solved freeing me to fine tune the event and make it a memorable one for the retiring executive and his family for whom I had a great deal of respect.
Boy was I wrong! The new Chief arrived late and had to sit with his wife toward the rear of the room. They took it as a personal afront that I did not have an arranged seat or them at the Head Table or a prominent place in the room. In retrospect, I should have humbly contacted the new Chief before the event and done my best to diplomatically explain our head table protocol and done my best to reserve a seat for he and his wife close to the front of the room. The Deputy Chief, coming to my aid, made arrangement for me to meet with the new Chief a few days after the event. It was not a comfortable meeting as I tried to explain our protocol and how the presence of, he and his wife, given the political situation presented planning difficulties. I offered my apologies, but it took a long time to repair our working relationship.
The Pharisees were wrong when they became indignant with Jesus for eating with tac collectors and other sinners. Sitting and breaking bread with these horrible people was not the proper place for one known as a Rabbi. Had they taken the time to know Jesus, they would have realized he was very much in the place ascribed to him by the Father. Jesus came to heal sinners, not to reject and condemn them. His gifts of forgiveness, salvation and eternal life were meet for all who repented and followed him. This healing touch is still available today to those who give Jesus a proper place in their hearts and lives.
PAUSE FOR REFLECTION AND PRAYER
Is Jesus siting at the proper place of your table of life?
Jesus, thank you for coming to my house with your healing touch. May I help others find your presence in their lives.