1 Samuel 9:1-4,17-19,10:1
Psalm 20(21):2-7
Mark 2:13-17
JESUS SAYS, …FOLLOW ME!
Tax collectors usually exploited people by overtaxing for profit, despised for dishonesty, and seen as enemies of the pagan empire.
Jesus saw potential in Levi—a sign of humanity or righteousness—and called him. Levi obeyed immediately, dining with Jesus and tax collectors to understand or challenge their practices. Once a Roman tax collector, Levi became notable in the New Testament.
The Pharisees, strict followers of the law, challenged Jesus for eating with sinners like tax collectors. Jesus confronted their false righteousness, highlighting their self-righteousness and their sense of being above the law—perfect and in need of no God’s help.
What about us today? Do we feel lost during prayer? Think some can’t change? Only love those who love us? Delay following Jesus out of fear? Forget that being a true witness daily is vital? Are we only good Christians at church but wicked outside? Favor only close people? Judge biasedly?
Let us pray always, offering ourselves to God, listening for His voice, and noticing His presence daily. Allow God to shape us, see potential like Levi, Samuel, and Saul. He is calling us to follow, and we must respond.
Fr Joseph Osho
