It is 11th October 2020. We celebrate the Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The readings are from Isaiah 25:6-10; the second reading is from Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20; and the Gospel is from Matthew 22:1-14.
The need for God is under constant threat and debate in our families, communities, and countries. A lady told me that if you talk about God and religious stuff, there are not many to follow, like, love and listen to you. God wants to celebrate life with us. We most of us love to celebrate life without God. A man approached a priest and said he was thirsting for God. So, the priest who looked at his eyes and found his curiosity than commitment, he took him near a river and walked with him inside the river to shoulder deep. Suddenly, the priest pressed his head inside the water until he was chocking and panting for breath. “Tell me, what you wanted most of all when you were under water.” “Air!” answered the man. So, he sent him home telling that he could find God when his thirst is the only thing to think about and God as much as he just wanted air.
Refusing God’s invitation to participate in the feast is the wilful denial of happiness and peace God alone can offer. From the beginning, God wants to be close to us and make us feel we are loved by God always. God is throwing a banquet with some expectations. The first and third reading speak directly about the meal. The second reading offers the strength we need to respond to the vitiation comes by our belief in Jesus.
The prophet Isaiah assures through the banquet of the Lord, we are healed of our shame and guilt. “The Lord will wipe away the tears from every cheek; he will take away his people’s shame everywhere on earth.” (Is. 25:8). God is generous and gracious to invite us all to the feast. God expresses God’s intentions of treating everyone equal and everyone is welcome for the celebrations of life, love and forgiveness. God is angered when we substitute God with something we treasure most. When we become so worldly and going for pleasures out of pressure from others, we tend to ignore the invitation of God. God displays God’s generosity in this celebration and meeting. The bright future, and consolation is guaranteed when we are with God on the mountain that is personal quality time with God.
The responsorial Psalm praises, “I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.” (Ps.22:6)
St. Paul was convinced that Christ would not abandon him even though he was in the prison. He teaches us to believe God through Christ that we never be left alone to face the inevitable. “I have the strength for everything through Him who empowers me.” (Phil.4:13). God empowers us through Jesus no matter what we are going through in our life.
The Gospel brings out our mindset in responding to God’s invitation to the banquet. The display of God’s goodness, lack of our gratitude and garment is explained in details. God is not tired of sending out invitation starting from good and bad alike. It is up to us to respond to God
What we see today is the invitation is at times limited to the privileged, the powerful, the popular in a formal one-time invitation but God invites us repeatedly even after knowing our stubbornness and refusal to participate. God invites everyone equally and it is not for a particular group or the favourites of God. When we underestimate someone, we do not value the invite. The religious leaders undermined the power of God because of repetitious invitation. “For many are called. Few are chosen.” [Mt.22:14]. God does not exclude anyone. God invites us to love and respond. Hence, God never forces to love God. Faith is a free gift infused by God. (Catechism 155). God treats us all in the same way and expects us the same from us.
God’s intention to fill the house is never changed. God wants everyone to be participants of the blessings. It is the story of history of salvation expressed in the parable. Mathew wants to emphasize that Gentiles are not excluded in the invitation. During the pandemic, how sincere are we responding God’s call? Now the Church is opened with limited capacities yet, there are many of us do not come to worship out of fear of corona.
The dress code is expressed verbally in some feasts celebrations but most of the times it is expected. Those who did not follow the others in celebrating with the host will be either looked down upon or secluded. Wedding garment is the openness to receive the Good News and willingness to live a new life in Christ. Our personal conversion and willingness to accept the offer of salvation by Jesus is the dress we need to put. “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.” (Rom. 13:14). “I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; justice was my robe and turban.” (Job 29:14). St. Jerome commented, “The marriage garment is the commandments of the Lord, and the works which are done under the Law and the Gospel and form the clothing of the new man. That is, the deeds of Charity our faith must be accompanied of.”
We are all called but we do not answer the call of God in the same way. May our families hear the voice of the Lord in responding.
In his latest Encyclical Letter, “Fratelli Tutti,” of The Holy Father Francis, “On Fraternity and Social Friendship.” He encourages in No. 216, “To speak of a “culture of encounter” means that we, as a people, should be passionate about meeting others, seeking points of contact, building bridges, planning a project that includes everyone. This becomes an aspiration and a style of life. The subject of this culture is the people, not simply one part of society that would pacify the rest with the help of professional and media resources.”
May we meet the One who wants to meet us all and dine with all. Have a lovely day. God bless you.