As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, "Follow me."  And he got up and followed him.  And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples.  When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"  But when he heard this, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.  Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners."

Matthew is called right there at his workplace.  One is called but many follow (v 10).  One is called to a specific mission and will remain with Jesus while the others will return to their workplaces no doubt profoundly changed.  It is easy to see how the kingdom grows.

Jesus comes and seeks us out in the ordinary events of everyday life: at our workplaces, at meals in our homes, at gatherings of family and friends.  He seeks us out and makes us realize our great need for him, for forgiveness, reconciliation and peace.  He comes to us in our sinfulness though the devil tells us he hates us and has abandoned us.

I used to read this passage - "those who are sick need me; those who are well have no need of a physician" and think "then may I always be sick!"  But of course Jesus must always heal us and draw us into deeper communion with him.  "You are always with me and all that I have is yours" is his desire for us, like the brother of the prodigal son.  There is no room for jealousy in us when we se him acting powerfully in another, to heal them or call them to a vocation.  We can imagine not just scandal on the part of the Pharisees but even jealously that Jesus dines with sinners.  Like the jealousy on the part of the prodigal son's brother.

Are we ever tempted to deliberately sin so that we can receive Christ's attention and healing?  I know I have been.  It can be easier to be the prodigal son, allowing yourself to be polluted by the world only to return repentant to a Father who awaits you than to persevere in the good one's entire life, living with a Father who is typically very silent.  We are always sinners before God and a deeper communion with him is always possible.  There is always a meal for us with Christ.