There is a family in our parish all of whom, except one, have converted to Catholicism over the years. Joe, not his real name, has been through RCIA, comes to Mass and social functions, and prays in the chapel. One day I asked Joe what was preventing him from joining the Church. He said that confession was a problem for him. I asked why. He is concerned that if he confesses his sins that he might commit some of them again. I told him welcome to the Church; you're human just like the rest of us.

We know that Jesus had 12 disciples. The first four who Jesus called were fishermen. Then Jesus called his fifth disciple, Matthew the tax collector. The Jewish people despised Matthew and considered him to be a sinner because his job involved collecting taxes for the Romans who occupied the land. After Matthew responded to Jesus' calling, Jesus dined with him and many tax collectors, as well as other sinners.

The righteous Pharisees were disturbed that Jesus associated with these kinds of people and asked why he did so. Jesus told them the answer that everyone understands: "I did not come to call the righteous but sinners," the ones who need forgiving and healing.

The righteous are those who esteem themselves because of their own efforts; who attribute to themselves the merit of their good health and consider sinners to be lost, irrecoverable, not worthy of care. These righteous ones are deluded as to their state of health. They also need Jesus, the divine healer.

The Good News of today's gospel reading is that Jesus is calling each one of us! All of us here are quite different, but we have one thing in common: we are all sinners, in one way or another. If none of us were sinners, Jesus would not have had come to live among us. Jesus offers to make all of us more righteous, i.e., in more right relationship with God.

As we become more righteous, we must be careful to not become like the Pharisees and reject and not forgive people who are sinners and in need of Jesus' healing. Jesus wants every one of us. We must leave judging up to God -- it's not our job, although it seems to be part of our human sinful condition.

Who are some of these people we might reject and not forgive?

- How do you feel about the murderers on death row? Should the state execute them or should they be given a life sentence with extra time to be healed by Jesus? He desires mercy, not sacrifice.

- What about people with AIDS? Some say that they got what they deserve. But they need healing just like the rest of us. Our mission is to help others get to heaven, not to judge them.

- How do you feel about those who have had abortions? They need Jesus' healing as well as the support from their own families, counselors, and neighbors.

- And, how about the clergy, teachers, parent, and others who have abused young children or teens? This is a hot-button issue for us right now. Do we write these people off or do we help them heal just like Jesus will help them, irrespective of what we do?

Being a follower of Jesus is not easy. The second of his two great commandments is to love our neighbor, not to judge him or her. Being made in the image of God, we are called to be the face of Christ to others. He wants us to show them mercy.

The Good News is that Jesus wants each one of us sinners, irrespective of the condition we are in. If we are going to do what Jesus would do, we must also forgive others and let them know that Jesus wants to forgive them too.