We live in an age with too much division, exclusion, fear, and hatred. The author of Ephesians had a solution: there is but one God, one Spirit, and one Body. We are all interconnected with one another and with creation. There are a variety of gifts - they are all to be used for the common good. We do not own anything, and no person is superior to another. When we create disunity, selfish competition, fear, and hatred, we effectively exclude God. It would help if we remember this whenever we are tempted to become involved in a divisive communal disagreement or to take part in factions.

People were scandalized - not only had Jesus called Matthew, the hated tax collector, to be his disciple, but he was dining at his house. Were there not men who were holier and more moral available to follow Jesus? But that is the message - Jesus did not come for the perfect and holy, he came for all of us - the ordinary sinners who struggle each day. Those whom he called to follow him were an unimpressive lot, but again, that is the point. Jesus does extraordinary things with very ordinary and weak people. Thanks be to God! Let us be more tolerant of one another and rejoice in our imperfections.