“Encountering Jesus so that the sour and tangy areas of our life, will turn to sweetness and pleasantness!”

(Based on Isa 58:9b-14 and Lk 5:27-32 – Saturday after Ash Wednesday)

One of the fruits that is growing in popularity is the “miracle fruit!”
>> Native to Africa’s Gold Coast, this miracle berry (scientific name: Synsepalum dulcificum) has been an integral part of the daily menu of the tribes in Ghana and Nigeria
>> This fruit is now getting available in many parts of the world.

What is the speciality of this fruit?
>> Why is it called as Miracle Fruit?

When this fruit is eaten…
… it causes sour foods that are consumed consequently to taste sweet
(The fruit consists of a taste modifier called miraculin, which binds to the taste buds, causing sour foods to taste sweet)

So…
… a juicy, tangy lime will taste sweet!
… a succulent, sour gooseberry will be felt as sweetened!

Interesting, isn’t it?


Well…
>> When we encounter Jesus and consume His Presence…
… like the “effect caused by the miracle fruit,” the sour and tangy areas of our life, will turn to sweetness and pleasantness!


The Gospel of the Day presents an encounter…
>> Of Levi… who was willing to have an experience of Jesus, the “Miracle Fruit” and thus experience sweetness in life
>> Of Pharisees and Scribes… who refused to partake of Jesus, the “Miracle Fruit and thus remain sour in their attitudes


As Jesus went out, He met a person named Levi, who was sitting at the tax booth.

Levi, a tax collector – collected taxes for customs or tolls on imports, exports, and merchants who came to buy or sell in Israel.
>> These Jewish tax collectors were disdained by the Jews. They were considered traitors because they worked for the despised Roman rulers.
It is this “despised” person that Jesus calls: “Follow me.” (Lk 5:27)


The name “Levi” means “joined”
>> True to his name, Levi “joined” the ministry of Jesus… and became His disciple
>> True to his name, Levi “joined” Himself to following Christ… leaving his former ways!


Subsequently, in the great banquet hosted at his house, Jesus was joined by a “large crowd of tax collectors and others sitting at the table” (Lk 5:29)


The sight of Jesus – supposedly a Teacher and Prophet – irked the Pharisees and their Scribes, making them to ask: “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” (Lk 5:30)


The Pharisees and their Scribes refused to accept the “welcoming and merciful” embrace of the Lord
>> They chose to close themselves to the “saving and redeeming” works of the Lord

As a result, they failed to experience the “Sweetness of the Lord!”


Levi, was willing to have a taste of “Jesus, the Miracle Fruit”
… and thus, his life was filled with sweetness and pleasantness!
>> The Pharisees and their Scribes refused to experience “Jesus, the Miracle Fruit”
… and thus, they continued to remain sour and tangy – as expressed in their words and actions!


There are many times…
… when we remain sour in our words – hurting people by our unjust criticism and judgmental comments
>> We need to taste “Jesus, the Miracle Fruit” so that our lives gives forth the sweetness of acceptance and appreciation!

There are often occasions …
… when we remain tangy in our actions and deeds – refusing to reach out in help and being stagnant in our selfishness
>> We need to taste “Jesus, the Miracle Fruit” so that our lives gives forth the pleasantness of charity and care!


The effect of the miracle fruit lasts only for an hour
>> The effect of “Jesus, the Miracle Fruit” however is much lasting
… and in fact, can be everlasting, if we remain faithful and sincere in following the Lord!


Let us encounter Jesus and consume His Presence…
… so that, like the “effect caused by the miracle fruit,” the sour and tangy areas of our life, will turn to sweetness and pleasantness!
>> Like Levi, let us “join” ourselves to the Will of the Lord, by following Him, faithfully!


Ready to taste the “Miracle Fruit?”


God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism:
BOOKS OF THE BIBLE
>> It was by the apostolic Tradition that the Church discerned which writings are to be included…
… in the list of the sacred books.
>> This complete list is called the canon of Scripture.
>> It includes 46 books for the Old Testament (45 if we count Jeremiah and Lamentations as one)…
… and 27 for the New(CCC 118-119)
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