The account of call of Levi (Matthew), vv 13-17, has parallels in Mt 9:9-13 (read on the Tenth Sunday of Year A) and Lk 5:27-32. Here Jesus’ relationship with those outside the law begins to antagonize the religious elite. This leads into the following sections in which Jesus gives a more human (and therefore divine) perspective to law.

Jesus and his disciples showed an independence from the traditional practices of Jewish law that was not merely carelessness or disregard. Rather, they recognized the law as important, but they also subordinated it to more important concerns. Jesus came to those in need of salvation (2:13-17), and laws, such as the Sabbath observance (2:23-28), exist in order to serve our relationship with God, not hinder it. Fasting had traditionally been a sign of waiting for the Messiah, and so by their failure to observe the customary fasts, Jesus and his disciples gave the impression that they were not interested in the messianic hope (v 18). On the contrary, Jesus affirmed that there was no longer any need to give signs of waiting — the awaited Messiah had come (v 19). However, with the next breath Jesus emphasized that fasting — and the entire attitude of discipline and self-denial — would be a necessary part of life for his followers, awaiting his final return in glory (v 20).

The proverbs about the cloth and the wine skins unfold this teaching by emphasizing that the new order Jesus had come to establish is incompatible with the old. The person who tries to compromise by living according to the old standards of judgment, yet professing to follow Christ’s way of love, will be ripped apart. The proverbs themselves do not say whether the old or the new is better (however, Lk 5:39 notes that human nature inclines toward the old and familiar), but rather simply state that a choice must be made which involves the person’s whole being — to receive the "new wine" of Christ’s presence requires a new heart.

Hosea lived in the northern kingdom of Israel around the eighth century B.C.E., when religious decline, through the worship of the gods of nature and of the neighboring peoples, was going hand in hand with political instability resulting from unwise alliances. Both the prophet’s life and words present the ideal of marital fidelity as an image of fidelity to the covenant. Idolatry is adultery of the people against God. Hosea’s repeated attempts to win back his unfaithful wife embody in sign God’s faithfulness to his people even though they have deserted him. This image of God as husband of his people is strong in the Hebrew Scriptures, and gives rise to the image of the Messiah as bridegroom in the Christian Scriptures.

This beautifully phrased psalm simply rejoices in the love that God has shown his people. Response: "The Lord is kind and merciful."

In this passage, Paul gives the reason for the assurance and firmness with which he speaks — his words do not come from human abilities, but are based on the power of God’s covenant (v 3). The Corinthian community, as we have seen, was divided into cliques, each following the personality of a different missionary (see 1 Cor 3:5). Apparently, even after his previous letter (1 Corinthians), some continued to question his authenticity as an apostle. In both letters, Paul emphasizes again and again that the word of faith comes from God through Christ, and Christ is the source of unity. The ministry of Paul himself and of others comes from God alone, and cannot be allowed to degenerate into divisive factions.

1. What is the value of observing the laws and practices of the Church, such as fasting and Sunday worship? for you personally? for the Church as a community?

2. Is idolatry a danger within the Church today? What reasons or examples can you give for your answer.