Friday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
Go and learn the meaning of the words,
    I desire mercy, not sacrifice.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.


The peace of the Lord be with you.

God loves everything and everyone he has created. As such, God does not want to be separated from anything that he has created. Throughout salvation history, God has labored tirelessly to bring the human family back into his loving arms. We see this effort today as Jesus reaches out to those who have wandered away or never been aware of this great love. Like Jesus articulates today this a manifestation of the mercy God extends to each of us and we in turn are called to offer to each other. Jesus will live out this message in all the dimensions of his earthly ministry but especially as he willingly and intentionally bears the cross as the perfect remedy to all that keeps us from this divine friendship.

In name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.