GOSPEL READING: LUKE 5:27-32
Jesus had invited the fishermen to be his followers, men of lowest rank. But much more wonderful to see Jesus inviting the publican to be his followers and the publicans were men of the lowest rank and they were, in fact men of ill fame. In this Jesus humbled himself and appeared in the likeness of sinful flesh.
Jesus not only admitted the converted publican into his company but also he joined the company of the unconverted publican hoping that he might have an opportunity to convert them. Jesus answered the Pharisees who questioned him about his dealing with the publicans by saying that he had come to work for the people of such reputation.
சமுதாயத்தில் அடிமட்டத்தில் உள்ள மீனவர்களை தன் சீடர்களாக இருக்கும்படி இயேசு அழைத்தார். இங்கே அதற்கும் கீழ்மட்டத்தில் உள்ள பாவிகளை அழைக்கிறார். அவர்களோடு உறவு-உணவு அருந்துகிறார். இந்த நோக்கத்தோடும் இந்த பணிக்காகவுமே வந்ததாக அவர் விடை அளிக்கிறார்.
