So attractive was the call to 'follow' Jesus, that the first disciples just dropped everything to 'follow' Him. What was it that attracted them to Him?

They discover His new table companions: 'sinners' - people socially characterized because of their inability to observe 'the minute exigencies of the Jewish Law'. Jesus' willingness to share meals with such people is but an expansion of His proclamation: Mk. 1:14-15.

There are no boundaries in the Father's kingdom. Boundaries existed only in the discrimatory 'rule' of the Scribes and Pharisees who did not feel the need themselves for repentance, as they considered themselves righteous and didn't acknowledge God as the source of genuine righteousness.

By His compassionate, prophetic attitude Jesus shows that our meals - our Eucharistic meals particularly must include people aware of their weakness and in need of healing. His meal is where the sinners and the sick are welcome. Parodoxically then the Christian Eucharist is for those who seem 'not to belong' but who really do!