Thursday, August 21, 2014
20th Week in Ordinary Time 1st Reading:
Ez 36:23-28 Gospel:
Matthew 22:1-14
Jesus began to address the chief priests and elders of the people, once more using parables:
“This story throws light on the kingdom of heaven. A king celebrated the wedding of his son. He sent his servants to call the invited guests to the wedding feast, but the guests refused to come.
“Again he sent other servants ordering them to say to the invited guests: ‘I have prepared a banquet, slaughtered my fattened calves and other animals, and now everything is ready; come then, to the wedding feast.’ But they paid no attention and went away, some to their fields, and others to their work. While the rest seized the ser vants of the king, insulted them and killed them.
“The king became angry. He sent his troops to destroy those murderers and burn their city. Then he said to his servants: ‘The wedding banquet is prepared, but the invited guests were not worthy. Go, then, to the crossroads and invite everyone you find to the wedding feast.’
“The servants went out at once into the streets and gathered everyone they found, good and bad alike, so that the hall was filled with guests.
“The king came in to see those who were at table, and he noticed a man not wearing the festal garment. So he said to him: ‘Friend, how did you get in without the wedding garment?’ But the man remained silent. So the king said to his servants: ‘Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the dark where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
D@iGITAL-EXPERIENCE
(Daily Gospel in the Assimilated Life Experience)
Today’s Gospel parable consists of two parts: the invitation and the scrutiny. The first part is a lesson on priority. Invitations to a Jewish wedding feast were normally sent out without a definite date; only when preparations were definite were the invited guests summoned. Thus, only those who prioritized the invitation made themselves available all the time for the feast. In the same way, only those who value God’s affairs are ready to respond to God anytime.
The second part is a lesson on preparation. One of the guests came in improperly dressed. The king ordered him thrown out into the dark. The privilege of being invited is not license to come unprepared. The same applies to our Eucharistic banquets. While the Mass is open to all only those who come prepared will partake of God’s grace. It’s really about emptying one’s heart of vile things. Just how much grace can one absorb if he comes to Mass with his heart already filled with sin to the brim? – Rev. Fr. Dan Domingo P. delos Angeles, Jr., DM. Email:[email protected]. Website:www.frdan.org.
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