There is a glorious simplicity and freshness about many of the Gospel accounts of Jesus' meetings with individuals. We can almost see him smiling as he looked up at Zaccheus in the tree or as he greeted the two prospective followers who could do no more than utter a rather nervous "where are you staying?" when he asked what they wanted. An encounter with Jesus must have been a purifying and strengthening experence for those who were looking for something worthy of their best selves.

Notice the differing reactions to Jesus in to-day's Gospel. Levi, at first sight, would seem to have been unpromising material. At least some of his fellow tax collectors must have been hard, grasping men. But not Levi. When faced with a person of undoubted goodness he responded totally. A desire for "something more" must have long been stirring in his heart. When he met it, he went for broke. In Luke's language "to leave everything" meant complete detachment from material possesions. Levi celebrated his decision with what could have turned out to be a rather rowdy party.

On the other hand, despite their long acquaintenceship with the Scriptures and the Law the Pharisees could not recognise their embodiment in the person of Jesus. Nor could they rejoice when a fellow man went for something better.