Again today we have the words of Isaiah pointing the way to integrity and peace with God. When we truly humble ourselves, we become poor in heart and spirit, not depending on our possessions for a sense of power. Then God, who 'exalts the humble', will be our strength, will provide for our needs. With His power working in us we can become peacemakers. If we put the Lord first in everything we do, then we will find our happiness in Him.

This passage from St Luke emphasizes the compassionate way the Lord deals with repentant sinners. The tax-collector of Jesus' time was one who participated in and profited by an oppressive and unjust system of taxation and was readily bracketed with the sinner. Jesus called Levi, one of the hated tax-collectors. Levi's response to that call was total. He then gave a feast in Jesus' honour with a large gathering of tax-collectors he had assembled. Jesus' reply to the questions of the Pharisees about His eating and drinking with sinners must surely be some of the most encouraging words in the Gospel. It is precisely because we are sinners that He comes to call us back to Him.