三月九日聖灰瞻禮後星期六（路5:27-32）
肋未在自己家中為祂擺設了盛筵，有許多稅吏和其他的人，與他們一同坐席。（路5:29）
在耶穌時代猶太人的社會裡，稅吏是不受歡迎的人物。肋未是稅吏，與他來往的，恐怕亦祇有稅吏和罪人而已（谷2:15）。另一方面，能夠加入法利塞黨的人，恐怕亦祇有那些熟悉經典，自以為高人一等的經師和法學士。當然亦有例外的，例如尼苛德摩和阿黎瑪特雅人若瑟。肋未之流，想加入法利塞黨，一定被拒諸門外；而法利塞人亦不屑與肋未為伍！這是意料中事，但不要忘記，「近朱者赤，近墨者黑」。那麼，你希望參加一個怎麼樣的團體呢？一個聖人/義人的團體？還是一個罪人的團體？
天主教幾乎每一天都會慶祝聖人的瞻禮，這些聖人都非常英勇地，以不同的方式，見証福音的教訓。天主教高舉這些榜樣，鼓勵信徒效法。可惜，在缺乏聖神的推動之下，這些聖人祇不過是「記憶博物館」中的展品，對信徒的生活起不了甚麼作用！（【你們要歡喜踴躍】#139）另一方面，天主教不斷被性侵醜聞所困擾，更與無神權政權妥協，令教會內外人士齒冷…雖然她是號稱「至聖」，並且「由宗徒傳下來」的教會，但她的表現，的確令人喪失信德！伯多祿不是被曾是法利塞黨的保祿猛力評擊嗎（迦2:11-14）？
不過，正因為她是一個罪人的團體，她纔可以邀請到耶穌基督一起坐席！耶穌基督沒有嫌棄罪人，並樂意與他們為伍。所以祂接受若翰的洗禮，跟肋未和他的罪人朋友一同坐席。且看，耶穌基督並沒有加入法利塞黨，提昇自己的社會地位，反而親近罪人，感染他們成聖！很難明白，罪人有甚麼值得耶穌基督的錯愛呢？但小心謹記，既然法利塞人中有尼苛德摩，罪人中也有拒絕悔改，自甘墮落之徒！
天主啊！我寧站在祢殿宇的門限，也不願逗留在惡人帳幕的裡面（詠84:11）。亞孟。
On Companions
March 9, Saturday after Ash Wednesday (Luke 5:27-32)
"Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them." (Luke 5:29)
In Jesus' time, tax collectors were unpopular in the Jewish society. Levi was a tax collector. Most likely, only tax collectors and public sinners could be his friends (Mark 2:15). On the other hand, probably only those who were well-versed in Scriptures and the Law, such as those self-important teachers of the law and scribes, could join the Pharisees party. Of course, there were exceptions such as Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea. Even if people like Levi wanted to join the Pharisees party, they would be rejected because the Pharisees despised their companionship. This was to be expected. Don't forget, birds of the same feather flock together. Then what kind of community would you like to join? A community of saints and righteous people? Or a community of sinners?
The Catholic Church celebrates feast-day of saints nearly everyday. These saints bravely bore witness to gospel teachings in various manners. The Church highlights their examples and encourages the laity to follow them. Unfortunately, lacking the push from the Holy Spirit, these saints are merely show pieces in a museum of memories. They do not help the life of believers! (GE #139) On the other hand, the Catholic Church is scandalized with sexual abuses. Her moral position is compromised by signing deals with atheist regimes. Many people, those within and without the Church, are disappointed. Although she claims to be holy and apostolic, her performance makes people lose their faith! Wasn't Peter criticized harshly by Paul the Pharisee (Galatians 2:11-14)?
Exactly because she is a community of sinners, she is able to invite Jesus Christ to join her at the table! Jesus Christ does not reject sinners and is happy to keep them company. Thus, Jesus received the baptism of John, joined Levi and his sinner friends at the table. Furthermore, Jesus Christ did not join the Pharisees to raise his social status. Instead, he stayed among sinners, influenced them to become saints! It is difficult to understand why Jesus Christ loved these worthless scums! Watch out! Since there was Nicodemus, the Pharisee, there must be sinners who refuse to repent and enjoy falling from grace!
Dear Lord! Better the threshold of the house of my God than a home in the tents of the wicked (Psalm 84:11). Amen.
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