Hebrews 4:12-16 / Mark 2:13-17
It is understandable if non-Catholics have certain assumptions and expectations about Catholics.
Because we are the largest as well as probably the most prominent Church and also the Church that the media will use for its interests.
Hence Catholics are expected to be good people and living saintly lives and doing good deeds.
But when the opposite happens, then Catholics and the Catholic Church are in for bad publicity.
That was what happened when Jesus called Levi the tax collector to be one of His disciples.
The assumption was that if Jesus were a teacher and a holy man, then He should be choosing good and respectable people to be His disciples.
Yet what Jesus said in the gospel reminds us of who He is and what the Church is all about.
He did not come to call the virtuous but sinners.
Hence the Church is also for sinners just as the hospital is for the sick.
Yet the Church is also a sign of salvation.
The Church must always look to Jesus the high priest who has been tempted in every way that we are, though He is without sin (1st reading).
Let us be confident then that we shall have mercy from Him and find grace when we are in need of help.
And let us be that sign of salvation that the world is looking for.