‘I have prepared a banquet, slaughtered my fattened calves and other animals, and now,
everything is ready. Come to the wedding!’
But they paid no attention and went away, some to their farms, and some to their work.
Others seized the servants of the king, insulted them and killed them. The king was furious.
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 instead to the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding feast.’
The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, good and bad alike,
so that the hall was filled with guests.
The king came in to see the wedding guests, and he noticed a man not wearing a wedding garment.
So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in without the wedding clothes?’ But the man remained silent.
So the king said to his servants, ‘Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the outer darkness,
where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.”
LECTIO DIVINA:
Read: This Sunday continues the reflection on the Kingdom through another parable – the Wedding Banquet.
Israel, the chosen people of Yahweh were the first to be invited. But Israel unwilling to welcome the King’ Son,
we gentiles have been graciously invited by the Bridegroom.
What an honor to be included in the guest list of the King’s Son!
With the honor comes the responsibility to come properly dressed for the banquet otherwise one may still be cast away!
Reflect: The Eucharist we celebrate is THE banquet! We have been honored with an RSVP invitation!
Participation must be our priority schedule. But we do need to be prepared for the banquet.
Are we spiritually prepared to participate in the Eucharist? Though the Gospel does not really demand a literal
“dress code” still at times we can ask how we come dressed for our Sunday worship.
Pray: It is a good practice to properly dispose ourselves before the Mass and likewise give thanks to God
for the great privilege after the Mass. St. Thomas Aquinas has a beautiful prayer before mass. And the hymn
“Soul of Christ” is most helpful.
Act: This Sunday spend some quiet time before the Blessed Sacrament after
the Mass to savor the great privilege of having been invited to the banquet of the King’s beloved Son.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2020