Jesus is teaching people by the shore of the Lake of Galilee. He comes across a customs officer called Levi and simply says to him, "Follow me."

There and then, Levi left his desk and the money he was taking in and went with Jesus. It was similar to the calling of Peter, Andrew, James and John, who at the words of Jesus, walked away from their boats, their nets, their whole livelihood. The following of Jesus must always be total and unconditional because Jesus "has the words of eternal life." It seems then that Levi decided to celebrate his joining Jesus and his mission by throwing a party for his friends. They, of course, were tax collectors and other marginalised people like himself. Who else would accept Levi's invitation? The 'good' people, the Scribes and Pharisees are shocked. How could someone who claimed to be proclaiming the Word of God mix with people like this? In reply, Jesus effectively says, "Who else should I be mixing with?" It was people like this who needed most to hear what he had to say. Maybe we, too, should reflect on the kind of people with whom we share our Christian faith. If Jesus lived in our parish, what kind of people do you think he would be mixing with?