A SAINT HAS THE PAST AND A SINNER AND A FUTURE

THE COMING OF JESUS MAKES CONVERSION POSSIBLE 27 After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, 28 and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. (Lk 5:27-28)Jesus set out to look for Levi. After Jesus had called Simon, James and John (Lk 5:10), he saw Levi the tax collector sitting by himself, stopped by his booth, and said two words to him: Follow me. In all gospels Levi’s calling was mentioned, Jesus spoke two forceful words: “Follow Me. ”What was amazing about Jesus’ call to Levi was that Matthew, Mark, and Luke (Mt 9:9, Mk 2:14) all recorded Jesus’ two brief words to Levi in the gospels with equal passion, in the same way and at the exact length. Only Peter (John 21:19) and Philip (Jn 1:43) were given this directive, but their response was captured just once in the gospels. Nothing was special about their conversion; they were ordinary people, with normal jobs, receiving equal treatment. Remarkably, the gospels recorded, covered, and highlighted Jesus’ exclusive claim upon the most tainted member of the apostolic band, Levi the tax-collector.