Hello my fellow steemians out there? How are guys? I hope you do good here in steemit.

Since lent season starts last wednesday, let me share to you guys some of the WORD in other words in my Bible Diary 2018.

I will start today February 17, Saturday until lent season end.

Please give some time to read. Thank you!

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February 17,Saturday

_{Lent, Violet, Psss IV}

Source

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THE WORD
_{Is 58-9-14/ Lk 5,27-32}

Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him,

"Follow me".

And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house,and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them.

The Pharises and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying,

"Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?"

Jesus said to them in reply,

"Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners."

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IN OTHER WORDS
_{Fr Elmer Ibarra, SVD (Australia)}

When I was in New Zealand, I noticed that Samoans loved to give big banquets. Most of the time, they held banquets after funerals, since it was during funerals that most family members came together to offer condolences to the family. It was a good time to catch up with relatives and friends especially if they had come from overseas.

The gospel for today talks about Matthew (or Levi ) giving a great banquets for his friends who are fellow tax collectors, as he is about to leave his old life and follow Jesus to become one of his apostles. The Phrisees and scribes, instead of enjoying the party that Matthew gave away, criticized Jesus for eating with Matthew's crowd.

As missionary priest, I have experienced having meals with different kinds of crowds. I have eaten with communities of Filipinos, Sri Lankans, Indians, Australians, New Zealanders, with politicians, fellow priests, teachers, the youth etc. If I want to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, I must eat with a broad spectrum of people in order to reach out to them even if some are not interested in my company or on what I have to say. The fact that I'm there, and people know what I represent, is for me a good way of witnessing for Jesus Christ.

Sometimes, we see ourselves in many banquets with friends and relatives. We should see these as occasions to evangeize. Even if we just ask people how they are and show concern, it is already a good start of spreading the Word. As long as we express our good intention, Christ would be definitely pleased.

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Source: Bible Diary 2018

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That's all for today...I hope you got the idea what Fr. Ibarra relay for today's gospel..

GODBLESS!