Saturday After Ash Wednesday: A Call to the “Sinners” and the Strength of Conversion

Today, Saturday, 21st February 2026, Rev. Fr Pius Odediran invites Christians to reflect deeply on a striking truth from the Gospel: Jesus came not for the self-assured righteous, but for sinners seeking repentance. His message, centred on Christ’s encounter with Levi, challenges believers to rethink who is truly worthy of God’s call.

Jesus and the Rejected: The Story of Levi

Drawing from the Gospel of Luke (5:27), Rev. Fr Pius highlights the dramatic moment when Jesus calls Levi, a tax collector, to follow Him. Levi was not merely unpopular; he was widely regarded as a collaborator with the Roman authorities and, allegedly, one who profited from the suffering of his own people. In the eyes of society, he was compromised, morally suspect, and unfit for spiritual leadership.

Yet, Jesus’ simple command — “Follow me” — changed everything.

Levi, later known as Saint Matthew, rose and followed Christ. The man rejected by many became one of the Twelve Apostles and the author of a Gospel. According to Rev. Fr Pius, this moment is a powerful reminder that rejection by people is not the end for believers. Divine grace often begins where human approval ends.

Lent: A Season of Grace, Not Condemnation

Rev. Fr Pius describes Lent as a season of grace and the strength of conversion. It is not merely a time to catalogue sins or point accusing fingers. Rather, it is a sacred opportunity to respond to Christ’s invitation to follow Him — regardless of one’s past.

He echoes the reassuring truth: “The saints have a past, and sinners have a future.”

This message speaks to those burdened by complicated histories, personal failures, or social stigma. The reflection emphasises that Jesus did not first demand perfection from Levi. Instead, He offered grace — an unmerited favour — and called him into transformation.

In a society where individuals are often permanently labelled by their mistakes, this Gospel narrative challenges the culture of exclusion. It reminds the faithful that God’s calling is not restricted to the morally polished or socially acceptable.

Challenging the Self-Righteous Spirit

Rev. Fr Pius also warns against spiritual complacency. Those who consider themselves perfect, he notes, might struggle to understand why Jesus would associate with tax collectors and sinners. Yet Christ’s mission was clear: “I have come to call sinners to repentance.”

By choosing Levi, Jesus demonstrates that He seeks those who recognise their need for healing. As Scripture affirms in 1 Corinthians 1:27, God chooses what the world considers weak to confound the strong. The reflection suggests that those who have experienced brokenness often become the most compassionate instruments of mercy.

This teaching carries a subtle but powerful rebuke to attitudes of superiority within faith communities. Lent, therefore, is not only about personal repentance but also about reshaping how believers view others.

A Commission to Invite, Not Isolate

Beyond personal conversion, Rev. Fr Pius emphasises a communal responsibility. The Christian duty during Lent extends beyond identifying or rebuking sinners. Instead, believers are called to invite them into the Kingdom and pray for their repentance.

Christ’s instruction to Peter to strengthen his brothers underscores this mission of mutual support. Those who have encountered mercy are commissioned to become agents of hope for others.

The reflection concludes with a clear charge: Christ is still saying, “Follow me.” The call is not reserved for a select few. It is extended to the weak, the rejected, and even to those who believe they are beyond redemption.

A Season of Response

As the Lenten journey progresses, Rev. Fr Pius’ message serves as a timely reminder that conversion is both personal and outward-looking. It is about cleansing one’s heart while extending compassion to others.

Saturday after Ash Wednesday becomes, in this light, more than a date on the calendar. It becomes a moment to reconsider assumptions, to embrace grace, and to answer Christ’s call with courage.

In choosing Levi, Jesus redefined worthiness. In this season, believers are invited to allow that same grace to redefine their own story — and to become a source of light for those still searching for hope.