[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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