The people we meet in life are not accidental or chance encounters. They often have an impact on our life and sometimes they bring about a big change. Rebekah had no idea when she went to the well that day that she would be taken to a distant land and married to a young man she had never met. Not only that, she would become an important person in Israel's history of salvation. May we always be open to being led in new directions and accepting new experiences. We never know what God has in store for us.

Those who heeded the call of Jesus were definitely led in new directions and they probably weren't always happy about it. Their master ate with sinners and tax collectors - he didn't keep polite company! But Jesus pointed out that these were the very people who needed him the most. He came as a physician for sick and suffering souls (most of us!) and we should rejoice that he was reaching out to those on the fringes of society. We should follow his advice and learn the meaning of mercy - God is merciful, therefore we are expected to be the same. Let us set no limits to God's love or ours.