Roselle U. Casiguran 3S The Call of Matthew July 6, 2012 Saint Matthew 9:9-13.

Legal Counselling

As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" He heard this and said, "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."

The Gospel implies that Jesus does not come for the sinners, but rather came to those who know they have done wrong and seeks reconciliation. God seek us so that we can repent and cleanse our souls of the evil that surrounds us. But in order for Jesus to forgive us, we must know we have sinned, like in the Gospel when the tax collectors and sinners sat down with Jesus. We must be able to distinguish what is right and wrong according to the teachings of the Lord, because if not, a person does not

realizes that he has sinned and does not seek the power to begin a different course.

God has given us a gift of conscience so that we can distinguish the morality of our actions. Our conscience keeps us in line with the teachings of our Lord. In the

practice of law, we must always use our conscience. We must know that there are actions that are wrong.

Our actions must always observe fairness, candor and loyalty in all our dealings and transactions with our client as stated in Canon 15 of our code of professional responsibility. We must not use or resort to means that will be prejudicial to the other. We must help our clients with all the legal means we can provide.

As also stated in our code of professional responsibility that a lawyer shall serve his client with competence and diligence. We must give our clients, the service they deserve. We have to study well, learn the facts and help them.

Through the Code of Professional Responsibility and through the teachings of our Lord, we will know if we have sinned, or better yet, do acts that will prevent us from committing sins in our practice of law. We must seek forgiveness for our sins and make changes. We must realize the truth in our actions so that we can begin the growth in our spiritual life.