Realising we are sick

As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9: 9-13)

Jesus is sought mainly by those who, in recognising His holiness, intimately feel disgusted by the state into which vice has led them. Thus, they become aware of the longing for God they feel. On the contrary, those who are "rich in spirit," that is, the proud, have no sense of guilt and feel equal with God because they think they have kept His law. These people, whom Jesus classifies as "healthy", cannot be healed by Him, because they do not realise that they are sick, and, therefore will never seek His help. Tonight during your examination of conscience, carefully analyse your day to find the times when you felt "healthy" towards God, that is, not in need of His help.