The Invitation

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Oct 12
First reading                                        Isaiah 25:6-10
On this mountain, the Lord of hosts will prepare for all peoples a banquet of rich food. On this mountain he will remove the mourning veil covering all peoples, and the shroud enwrapping all nations, he will destroy Death for ever. The Lord will wipe away the tears from every cheek; he will take away his people’s shame everywhere on earth, for the Lord has said so. That day, it will be said: See, this is our God in whom we hoped for salvation; the Lord is the one in whom we hoped. We exult and we rejoice that he has saved us.

Psalm                                                Psalm 22:1-6

Second reading                               Philippians 4:12-14,19-20

I know how to be poor and I know how to be rich too. I have been through my initiation and 
now I am ready for anything anywhere: full stomach or empty stomach, poverty or plenty. 
There is nothing I cannot master with the help of the One who gives me strength. All the 
same, it was good of you to share with me in my hardships. In return my God will fulfil all 
your needs, in Christ Jesus, as lavishly as only God can. Glory to God, our Father, for ever 
and ever. Amen.

.

Gospel                                          Matthew 22:1-14

Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people, ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a feast for his son’s wedding. He sent his servants to call those who had been invited, but they would not come. Next he sent some more servants. “Tell those who have been invited” he said “that I have my banquet all prepared, my oxen and fattened cattle have been slaughtered, everything is ready. Come to the wedding.” But they were not interested: one went off to his farm, another to his business, and the rest seized his servants, maltreated them and killed them. The king was furious. He despatched his troops, destroyed those murderers and burnt their town. Then he said to his servants, “The wedding is ready; but as those who were invited proved to be unworthy, go to the crossroads in the town and invite everyone you can find to the wedding.” So these servants went out on to the roads and collected together everyone they could find, bad and good alike; and the wedding hall was filled with guests. When the king came in to look at the guests he noticed one man who was not wearing a wedding garment, and said to him, “How did you get in here, my friend, without a wedding garment?” And the man was silent. Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot and throw him out into the dark, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.” For many are called, but few are chosen.’

Reflection

By Beth Eguia

Have you ever been invited to a wedding or perhaps a birthday party? Surely you would have received more than 2 invitations in a year?  But how do we respond to these invitations? Do we make preparations like buying a nice dress that will fit the occasion or perhaps, find time to look for a present that the celebrant would love?.

When we were kids, we are so excited to attend parties mainly because there will be a variety of food and different games to join and win prizes. On our teenage years, we also love attending proms or debuts because it is a time when we will be with our  best friends or “bffs”, “barkadas” and have fun. In a wedding, we are delighted to see the newly wed couples happy and so much in love. We are honoured and thankful for being part of the important events in their lives.

But how about the invitations to attend bible study, a rosary recitation within the community or perhaps attending the Sunday Mass, visiting the sick or the elders? Or maybe just the invitation to be grateful, hopeful, happy each day in spite of the many problems or trials in life? Or maybe the invitation to do God's will and not our own?

Today's Sunday Gospel is a reminder of God's invitation to respond to His call every day, i.e. to be delighted serving Him through others, to live our lives according to His will.  He will always send messengers to guide and inform us, make us aware of our shortcomings.  Yes, we have the free will to decide on things but do you think God the Father will be happy if we choose the wrong way? If we invited our best friend to our birthday or to our wedding and she didn’t come, giving all kinds of excuses, how would we feel? If we felt bad, then how much more will our God feel? Let us take this as a challenge as we reflect on our lives every day.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, through the intercession of Mama Mary, grant us wisdom to act rightfully to Your invitations daily. We are sorry for the many times we fail You and not responded to Your call. Continue to guide us through Your messengers so we are reminded of our shortcomings. We pray dear Lord that when that day of our meeting comes, may You be proud and say “Well done my child. I am proud and happy for accepting my invitation”. Amen.