1st Reading: Heb 4:12-16
Gospel: Mk 2:13-17

When Jesus went out again beside the lake, a crowd came to him and he taught them. As he walked along, he saw a tax collector sitting in his office. This was Levi, the son of Alpheus. Jesus said to him, "Follow me." And Levi got up and followed him.
And it so happened that while Jesus was eating in Levi's house, tax collectors and sinners were sitting with him and his disciples for there were indeed many of them. But there were also teachers of the Law of the Pharisees' party, among those who followed Jesus, and when they saw him eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples, "Why! He eats with tax collectors and sinners!"
Jesus heard them and answered, "Healthy people don't need a doctor, but sick people do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."

The attitude of Jesus towards the tax collectors was in stark contrast to that of the Pharisees. The Pharisees were separatists, and did not lower themselves to have anything to do with a tax collector, who was to them no better than a gentile. But Jesus never taught that there was anything inherently wrong with paying tribute to the Roman government or collecting the tax. He was opposed to extortionists, but would fling open the door of repentance and salvation to them. He rejected none, not even the worst.
To be a fair dealing tax collector was regarded as impossible for the Jews; but Jesus didn't hesitate to converse with them. He wouldn't withdraw, even though the Pharisees were offended. If te world had been righteous, there would have been no occasion for Jesus' coming, either to preach repentance, or to purchase forgiveness. We are not advised to keep company with ungodly people out of love of their vain conversation, but we are enjoined to show love for their souls, remembering that Jesus had the power of forgiveness in himself. In trying to do well for others, let us always be careful to acknowledge the power of forgiveness in Christ.