Ven. Pelagia the Penitent; Saint Thaïs the Repentant Harlot (4th c.); Phillip, Bishop of Gortyna

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

¹Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I commanded the assemblies of Galatia, you do likewise. ²On the first day of every week, let each one of you save as he may prosper, that no collections are made when I come. ³When I arrive, I will send whoever you approve with letters to carry your gracious gift to Jerusalem.

After these things he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax office, and said to him, “Follow me!”

²⁸He left everything, and rose up and followed him. ²⁹Levi made a great feast for him in his house. There was a great crowd of tax collectors and others who were reclining with them. ³⁰Their scribes and the Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?”

³¹Jesus answered them, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do. ³²I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”