The Gospel according to Matthew (22:1-14)
Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and the elders of the people in parables
saying, “The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king
who gave a wedding feast for his son.
He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast,
but they refused to come.
A second time he sent other servants, saying,
‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet,
my calves and fattened cattle are killed,
and everything is ready; come to the feast.”’
Some ignored the invitation and went away,
one to his farm, another to his business.
The rest laid hold of his servants,
mistreated them, and killed them.
The king was enraged and sent his troops,
destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.
Then the king said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready,
but those who were invited were not worthy to come.
Go out, therefore, into the main roads
and invite to the feast whomever you find.’
The servants went out into the streets
and gathered all they found, bad and good alike,
and the hall was filled with guests.
But when the king came in to meet the guests
he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment.
He said to him, ‘My friend, how is it
that you came in here without a wedding garment?’
But he was reduced to silence.
Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet,
and cast him into the darkness outside,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’
Many are invited, but few are chosen.”
Reflection:
Today’s readings are not a happy group! The first reading is about Jephthah, one of the judges who, because he made an oath to the Lord had to put his own daughter to death, despite winning a great battle for the people of Israel. And then we have the Gospel where it sure seems like the guy without the wedding garment is really getting a bad bounce. I mean, he wasn’t even invited originally to the wedding – he was called in by the servants and then he gets thrown out because he’s not dressed properly? What is going on here?
The parable that Jesus shares in today’s Gospel is about His Father, who is the king in the story and first, those who did not accept Him (the chosen people of God, the nation of Israel). His servants went to call everyone into the banquet, because the king wanted his hall to be full. Those who came knew it was a wedding and that they should have been dressed properly. So, that poor soul who was thrown out at the end who wasn’t dressed properly? He must have tried to get around the rules and join the banquet anyway. He represents those who claim to be followers of Jesus, but in their hearts, are anything but. The lesson is clear – we are called to live from the heart. If we have a heart after Jesus’ own, we will be invited to that heavenly banquet that has no end. But, if not, we will discover that we can’t “pretend”. We have to truly live all that it means to be a Christian, with all that it includes, even (and maybe especially) when it is hard and is not popular.
It does make an ominous tone for the latter part of the summer, though, doesn’t it? It gives us a little reminder that tomorrow is not promised to any of us. So, what do we do with our days? Do we live them in loving service to those God places before us? Or, do we just look after our own needs and expect others to just fend for themselves? Oh, how I pray that we are in that first group!
Today, we also remember St Pope Pius X, who followed Leo XIII as Holy Father. He had a lot to follow from (since Leo XIII provided us with the basis for Catholic Social Teaching, which we are still unpacking even now). Pius X definitely did his part. He began the process of updating the Code of Canon Law (the law of the church), he reintroduced Gregorian Chant, and he encouraged the faithful to frequently receive the Body & Blood of Jesus, setting the age for First Holy Communion to be the age of seven. He also required all parishes to have religious education (the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, also known as CCD), in order that the young could be instructed properly in the faith.
St Pope Pius X, pray for us!
Action for the Day:
Is there something in your heart that holds you back from living out your faith in Jesus? Take time in prayer today and ask our loving Creator to help you face that aspect of your life and offer it to Him, that He may help you live more as His disciple.
Link to the DEACON5 website: https://deacon5.com/
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