As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:9-13
“Show favor not only to relations and kin, or to the most eminent, be they leaders or rich men or neighbors or fellow-countrymen, but also to foreigners and to all who come to you. By fulfilling your duty in this way you will reach the highest state of happiness. Be merciful to all who are suffering violence, keeping always in your heart the example of the Lord who said: “I desire mercy and not sacrifice.” Be patient with everyone, not only with the powerful, but also with the weak.
Finally be strong lest prosperity lift you up too much or adversity cast you down. Be humble in this life, that God may raise you up in the next. Be truly moderate and do not punish or condemn anyone immoderately. Be gentle so that you may never oppose justice. Be honorable so that you may never voluntarily bring disgrace upon anyone. Be chaste so that you may avoid all the foulness of lust like the pangs of death.”
Stephen of Hungary (969 – 1038) in Admonitions to His Son, Emeric as recounted in part in Witness of the Saints: Patristic Readings in the Liturgy of the Hours by Milton Walsh (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2012) 548.
This post is fitting as it both reminds me of the favor I experienced with the National Christian Foundation Colorado executive board over the past two days and because this afternoon Jenni and I are flying to Budapest, Hungary. We are scheduled to arrive tomorrow to attend the International Saline Partnership Leadership Summit and minister among some 90 representatives from 30-40 countries. Pray for safe travel and fruitful ministry.
Today’s post contains powerful words from a father to a son. If you have a son, perhaps share it with him, though it represents sound advice for all of us. Stephen of Hungary says to choose a pathway of humility and gentleness because both prosperity and adversity can destroy a person. He also wisely advises that we show favor to everyone. Such generosity of spirit is only possible with God’s help. Let’s ask for it together.
Father in heaven, whether at home or abroad, wherever you lead us, shape us by your Holy Spirit into people who show favor to everyone whether family or foreigner. May this be evident toward those who are sinners and not merely the righteous so that our lives exhibit your love and grace to the world. Hear my prayer in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus, who modeled this way of missional living for us. Amen.