The Gospel for this Second Sunday after Pentecost is Matthew 9:9-13. This reading contains Matthew's (aka Levi) brief reference to his own call by Jesus. It also points to the gap between Pharisaic attitudes and divine grace. Matthew humbly notes his disreputable background or lifestyle and Christ's gracious call to follow Him. Connected to the call of this tax collector, our passage speaks of the reaction of the Pharisees. They challenge Jesus' association with people who have not been very pious. Our Lord responds by pointing to His mission to call people to repentance and spiritual healing. Divine grace calls and transforms fallen human beings. Grace leads to repentance and, beyond that, to living faith and discipleship. This dynamic is seen in the call of Matthew and the call of every Christian through history. We all have such a call to follow Jesus.
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