Tuesday, September 21, 2021

HOSPITAL FOR SINNERS

[1]“The church is not a museum of saints, but a hospital for sinners.” I can’t remember the first time I heard this phrase, but over the years I’ve heard it used in numerous homilies, in RCIA meetings, I’ve used it too, in marriage preparation and diaconate formation sessions. Even Pope Francis has said something very much like it, so I feel quite confident in the assertion that this place is a hospital for sinners. That’s why I’m here!

Pope Francis said, in an interview with a Jesuit magazine, “I see clearly that the thing the Church needs most today is the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful; it needs nearness, proximity. I see the Church as a field hospital after battle.”

What a beautiful image we could print on yard signs, put them on our front lawns,[2] and live this reality.

We know little about Matthew the man and apostle. Most information about him comes from today’s reading. We know that he was an outcast from the Jewish community who was known to pal around with other “sinners” in his line of work. He was considered to be “sick”. The cause of his illness is due to sin, especially greed. He placed self-interest and wealth before all else, and so, sick enough to merit a physician: Dr. Jesus, who made a house call.

In breaking bread with Matthew and other tax collectors, Jesus creates a huge scandal. Always popular among the social outcasts, Jesus was used to the ire of hyper-religious people because he preferred the company of sinners. Cultural norms and social status were of no concern to him. But the one sin Jesus had absolutely no patience for was self-righteousness.[3]

Our broken world needs a place to bring its spiritual injuries. We need an emergency room more than a courtroom. We want healing more than judgment. Pope Francis again says, “The confessional is not a torture chamber, but the place in which the Lord's mercy motivates us to do better.”

We, the Church, are a hospital for sinners. We are wounded healers inside, who are called to mission. A mission to invite other sinners to the table of plenty and introduce them to the Master Physician, who operates in this hospital for sinners.


[1] Scripture (NABRE), Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13; Matthew 9:9-13

[2] National Catholic Reporter. “The church should be a hospital for sinners” by Fr. Peter Daly, Sep 24, 2013.

[3] Weekday HomilyHelps. Homily Suggestion by Timothy J. Cronin.


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