耶穌教導我們不要判斷人（瑪7：1）。所以，我們不應批評這個懶惰，那個不虔誠。同時，天主的慷慨，我們是不應眼紅的（20：15）。所以，天主可以善待義人，亦可以善待惡人！天主的慷慨，有如今天比喻中的國王，祂預備了豐富的恩賜，召叫所有的人來分享！對！是所有的人，包括義人和惡人，都有機會分享天主永恆的生命！
今天的比喻，警告我們不可濫用了天主的慈悲和慷慨。天主出於慈悲，召喚所有人回頭悔改。義人和惡人都可以回應天主的召叫；有些人回應得早，在葡萄園裡工作了十多小時；有些人因種種原因，回應得晚，祇能在主人的葡萄園中工作了一小時。但天主的慷慨，並不斤斤計較我們作出了多大的貢獻，每個肯回應的人，肯在主人的葡萄園工作的人，都可以獲得永生。那麼，為何國王對這位回應召叫的「朋友」，如此嚴厲，因為他沒有穿著禮服，便把他趕出外面呢？
穿著禮服出席婚禮，是為了配合場合和對主人的尊重。沒有穿著禮服，恐怕是指做出一些與蒙召不相稱的行為，和對召喚我們的天主，缺乏尊重！稱得上是基督徒，首先應當「愛天主在萬有之上」和「愛人如己」，這是耶穌基督對富少年最低限度的要求（19：18-21b）。然後要跟隨耶穌基督，彼此相愛。恐怕蒙召的人中，不少都是為了沽名釣譽（宗5：1-11），而並非真心悔改；即使真心悔改，亦沒有與人分享得救蒙恩的喜樂。不傳福音，又怎稱得上是基督徒呢？不傳福音，你可以拿甚麼作為禮服，出席天國的盛宴呢？
聖父啊！我的禮服就是一顆懺悔的心，和樂於與人分享得救蒙恩的喜悅。祢是不會陋視這卑微奉獻的。亞孟。
Where is Your Wedding Garment? (Matthew 22:1-14)
Jesus taught us not to judge (Matthew 7:1). Thus we should not criticize this person for being lazy and that person impious. At the same time, God is generous. We should not envy others (20:15). Thus, God may treat the good and the bad well. God’s generosity, like the king in the parable today, is shown in His calling all to partake in the abundant gifts He has prepared. Right! All, both the righteous and the evil have the opportunity to partake in God’s eternal life!
The parable today warns us not to abuse God’s mercy and generosity. Out of mercy, God calls all to repent. Both the righteous and the evil are able to respond to God’s call. Some respond early and work in the vineyard for longer hours. Some, for various reasons, respond late and can only contribute one-hour’s work in the vineyard. But out of His generosity, God is not concerned with how much we have contributed. Anybody who is willing to respond, who is willing to work in God’s vineyard will be rewarded eternal life. Why then does God treat so harshly this “friend” who has responded and drives him out because he has not “dressed in wedding garment”?
In attending a wedding, we put on wedding garment for the occasion as well as out of respect for the host. Not dressing in wedding garment perhaps means behaving in ways incompatible with the calling and a lack of respect towards God! To be Christians, we should love God above all and love our neighbour as ourselves. These were the minimum requirements Jesus Christ asked of the rich young men (19:18-21b). Then we should follow Jesus Christ and love one another. Probably many respond to the call out of hypocrisy (Acts 5:1-11) and not of genuine repentance. Even those of genuine repentance, they may not be willing to share the joy of redemption. Without evangelization, how can ones be called Christians? Without evangelization, what wedding garment can you put on to attend the heavenly banquet?
Heavenly Father! My wedding garment is a contrite heart and a willingness to share the joy of redemption. You will not scorn this sacrifice. Amen.
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