Jesus calls a tax collector and dines with sinners—"I desire mercy, not sacrifice." The Tenth Sunday of Ordinary Time reveals the physician who comes for the sick.
On the Tenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A, in The Mass Readings Explained, Dr. Brant Pitre walks through this Sunday's readings and shows how the call of Matthew reveals a mercy that seeks out sinners.
In the Gospel (Matthew 9:9–13) Jesus calls Matthew the tax collector and reclines at table with tax collectors and sinners; challenged by the Pharisees, he answers, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice… I did not come to call the righteous but sinners." Dr. Pitre connects this to Hosea's plea for steadfast love rather than sacrifice (Hosea 6) and Paul's portrait of Abraham's faith (Romans 4).
GOSPEL, FIRST READING & PSALM TRANSCRIPT (Subscribe or Login for Full Transcript):
The 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time for Year A continues our journey through the Gospel of Matthew. Here, the Church brings us to Matthew 9:9-13, a very famous passage that describes the call of Matthew, as well as some subsequent controversy that broke out over Jesus' willingness to dine with tax collectors, like Matthew, and sinners, who were evidently friends of Matthew, and Jesus' famous response to that criticism. So, let's hear what the Gospel says. Matthew 9:9 says...
SECOND READING TRANSCRIPT (SubscribeorLoginfor Full Transcript):
The 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time for Year A continues our journey through St. Paul's magnum opus, the Epistle to the Romans. On this Sunday, the Church picks up in chapter 4 after Paul's discussion of justification by faith apart from works of the law in chapter 3. Now, Paul is going to give an example of his doctrine of justification by appealing to the figure of Abraham. This is a very important, concrete manifestation of what he means by justification by faith apart from the works of the law, in terms that anyone familiar with the Old Testament would be able to understand. In 4:18-25, Paul describes the justifying faith of Abraham in these terms...
GOSPEL, FIRST READING & PSALM TRANSCRIPT (Subscribe or Login for Full Transcript):
The 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time for Year A continues our journey through the Gospel of Matthew. Here, the Church brings us to Matthew 9:9-13, a very famous passage that describes the call of Matthew, as well as some subsequent controversy that broke out over Jesus' willingness to dine with tax collectors, like Matthew, and sinners, who were evidently friends of Matthew, and Jesus' famous response to that criticism. So, let's hear what the Gospel says. Matthew 9:9 says...
SECOND READING TRANSCRIPT (SubscribeorLoginfor Full Transcript):
The 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time for Year A continues our journey through St. Paul's magnum opus, the Epistle to the Romans. On this Sunday, the Church picks up in chapter 4 after Paul's discussion of justification by faith apart from works of the law in chapter 3. Now, Paul is going to give an example of his doctrine of justification by appealing to the figure of Abraham. This is a very important, concrete manifestation of what he means by justification by faith apart from the works of the law, in terms that anyone familiar with the Old Testament would be able to understand. In 4:18-25, Paul describes the justifying faith of Abraham in these terms...
The Readings for the Tenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A
First Reading: Hosea 6:3–6
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 50
Second Reading: Romans 4:18–25
Gospel: Matthew 9:9–13
Key passages & sources examined: the call of Matthew the tax collector; the meal with sinners; "I desire mercy, not sacrifice" (Hosea 6); Jesus as the physician of the sick; the faith of Abraham in Romans 4.
What are the Mass readings for the Tenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A? Hosea 6:3–6; Psalm 50; Romans 4:18–25; and the Gospel, Matthew 9:9–13.
What does "I desire mercy, not sacrifice" mean? God values merciful love over mere ritual; Jesus comes to call and heal sinners, not the self-righteous.
Who is Matthew in the Gospel? A tax collector whom Jesus calls to follow him, and the traditional author of the first Gospel.
Why does Jesus eat with sinners? Because those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
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Approximately two years ago, I began subscribing to "Mass Readings Explained". At the time I was the leader of a small group of Catholics in my parish who wanted to start a Faith and Fellowship group. We decided to concentrate in our meeting on the upcoming readings for Sunday's Catholic Mass. My Group loves Dr. Pitre because he brings so much to his presentation of the Sunday Mass readings. We are trying to convince the entire parish to follow Dr. Pitre's weekly review of Sunday's readings. I find that I listen to Dr. Pitre's presentation two or three times before our meeting and it helps me know when to stop and start the presentation so that we can engage in discussion about what we have just learned. Without hesitation, everyone in our small group of 8 would heartily endorse Dr. Pitre's work.
The first CD skimmed and skipped and I was not able to listen to it. I have returned it to you by mail so that you can test it and hear for yourselves the poor quality of the CD.
Hi Paul, we're sorry to hear about the issue with your CD. Please email me (Michael@CatholicProductions.com) a good address and I will send you a replacement.
I'm amazed by these lectures, I learn so many things and I hear so many things Ive never heard before. Love how dr Brant Pitre answers complicated questions at the end of the lectures.
Approximately two years ago, I began subscribing to "Mass Readings Explained". At the time I was the leader of a small group of Catholics in my parish who wanted to start a Faith and Fellowship group. We decided to concentrate in our meeting on the upcoming readings for Sunday's Catholic Mass. My Group loves Dr. Pitre because he brings so much to his presentation of the Sunday Mass readings. We are trying to convince the entire parish to follow Dr. Pitre's weekly review of Sunday's readings. I find that I listen to Dr. Pitre's presentation two or three times before our meeting and it helps me know when to stop and start the presentation so that we can engage in discussion about what we have just learned. Without hesitation, everyone in our small group of 8 would heartily endorse Dr. Pitre's work.
The first CD skimmed and skipped and I was not able to listen to it. I have returned it to you by mail so that you can test it and hear for yourselves the poor quality of the CD.
Hi Paul, we're sorry to hear about the issue with your CD. Please email me (Michael@CatholicProductions.com) a good address and I will send you a replacement.
I'm amazed by these lectures, I learn so many things and I hear so many things Ive never heard before. Love how dr Brant Pitre answers complicated questions at the end of the lectures.
