Summary: During a seaside walk, Jesus encountered Levi, a tax collector, and called him to discipleship. Levi immediately followed. At a meal in Levi's house, Jesus dined with many tax collectors and sinners, which troubled some Pharisee scribes. Questioning Jesus' choice of company, they received His profound reply: He came to reach not the self-righteous, but sinners, much like a doctor focuses on the ill. This response highlighted Jesus' mission of offering repentance and grace to those most in need.
Gospel Acclamation: The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor and to proclaim liberty to captives. (Luke 4:18)
Jesus went out along the sea. All the crowd came to him and he taught them. As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the customs post. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed Jesus.
While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed him. Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with sinners and tax collectors and said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Jesus heard this and said to them, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
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