Notes for18 June 2022

Jesus’ aphoristic phrases always have several meanings; so do these words: firstly, He reproaches Pharisees with these words, because they are unmerciful in their condemnation of tax-collectors and sinners, they don’t understand others’ problems, and they don’t feel others’ pain. “A man with a full belly thinks no one is hungry”. Secondly, Pharisees show their blindness blaming Jesus for talking with sinners, not seeing that Jesus comes not as a sinner to sinners, but as a doctor to patients. And thirdly, Jesus invites everyone around to think: If sin is a sickness, then who is that doctor capable to heal this sickness? And if we raise ourselves above others, considering ourselves healthy, then what doctor are we rejecting in our life? Is Jesus saying that we should become necessarily “sick”, in order to call the doctor (no sin – no repentance)? No of course, but it is necessary to realize our own already really existing sickness.