Jesus is telling us today that, although the tax collectors, prostitutes and sinners are ignorant of the law, they believe faster, and always open to the spirit of conversion; not like the Pharisees - experts of the law, but their hearts are closed to the spirit of reconciliation.
The Kingdom of God is characterized by we-us-community-in-unity, and the value that is being practiced is generosity. While a society is characterized by we-them-survival of the fittest, and the overriding practice is envy.
In today’s gospel, Jesus illustrates dramatically the dynamics of correcting one another in the forms of: dialogue, forgiveness and prayer. Let us compartmentalize Jesus’ words and see the progression of winning the confidence and trust of others whom we’ve hurt and those who hurt us: