In today's gospel reading, Jesus models good Christian attitude and behaviour and challenges us to do the same. We are told he welcomes sinners and even eats with them contrary to popular treatment of shunning, ignoring, ridiculing, pitying or even talking about them in a derogatory way. St Paul reminds the Philipians and us that because of this he revels in the fact that nothing outweighs the supreme advantage we have of not only knowing but having Jesus Christ as our Saviour and role model. In Jesus, we have someone who teaches us to have a different attitude towards sinners than the world wants us to and as we feel like acting. He challenges us to cease from being judgemental and crirical and instead show mercy and compassion for HE is the God of mercy and compassion. And as His followers, we should aspire to be like him. Amen.