The Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
Gospel's Commentary
Today Jesus Christ shows His divine desire to welcome everyone, especially the most needy (the most "distracted"). What an unpleasant fixation those Pharisees had labeling people as sinners! God does not establish groups or categories. In any case, when someone who had lost his way (a "lost sheep") returns, then God has the greatest joy.
—We have all taken the place of the “lost sheep” or the “youngest son” (from the “Parable of the prodigal son”). Let's not get "older"! How much joy we experience when God carries us on his shoulders! Or when he meets us with open arms!