Dear brothers and sisters in Jesus,
Today’s gospel (28th Sunday ordinary time) presents the parable of the Wedding Banquet. Jesus used this parable in order to tell us that the invitation to the New Covenant was offered first to the chosen people of God. When they turned it down, then only, the invitation was extended to others. Those who rejected it were warned and those who came in for the feast but ill-prepared were thrown out. The wedding banquet, clearly, symbolises the life of grace here and now with full culmination in eternal glory. The wedding is for the Son of God, Jesus, who is the Bridegroom and the Bride is God’s people, all of us, everyone of us. No one can say that he/she was not invited.
Throughout history, God sends his prophets who help save everyone. The invitation is extended to all, but unfortunately not many seem to show interest. Many refuse the invitation of God and they tend to choose lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and lust for power. By doing this, they freely and deliberately choose to exclude themselves from the wedding banquet.
Despite all this, God keeps sending his helpers (prophets) to invite everyone who could be found on the main roads, by-lanes and at street corners. Many did come to the wedding banquet (good and bad ones) and the hall was filled with guests. When the King entered the banquet hall to greet the guests, he noticed one without a wedding garment and when confronted, that person became speechless and had no excuse. As a result he was immediately thrown into the outer darkness, for he was out of place. At this point, we may ask if the wedding garment was necessary and if yes, then, what did it signify. Well, the answer is a big YES and it means the good works that one does to the needy; it means seeing Jesus in each one and seeing them as brothers and sisters. We are all servants of the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the lonely, the sick and those imprisoned.
Therefore, when we really love our brethren in need, then, we can make ourselves worthy of the invitation and can joyfully and meaningfully partake of the wedding banquet. Let us be well-prepared, so that we may be found to be worthy of the life of grace here and now with full culmination in eternal glory.
Let me take this opportunity to wish every one of you
a wonderful celebration of Thanksgiving Day. God bless!
Fr Saga.
Pastor.
