A Limited Time Offer

    

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

15 October 2023

 

First Reading: Is 25:6-10a

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6

Second Reading: Phil 4:12-14, 19-20

Gospel: Mt 22:1-14

 

Reflection

By: Anton Ocampo

 

As someone who has lived in Canada for the majority of his life, I would often see some commercials of promos, whether it be fast food restaurants, banks, cars, or plane ticket sales, which would end with the voiceover saying something along the lines of “Hurry, this offer is for a limited time only.” These commercials invite viewers to purchase any product that is being sold. However, they must make a very quick decision because the offer will end some time soon. In fact, there is absolutely no guarantee that a similar type of offer will be available in the coming months or even the years to follow. Yes, television in the Philippines may also have these types of commercials, but most of the commercials that come to mind came from the many Canadian television stations. 

The theme of the readings for this Sunday’s Eucharistic celebration is stated in the Responsorial Psalm: “I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life” (Psalm 23:6cd). These words highlight the opportunity God gives us everyday. Each day of our lives here on earth, we are given an opportunity to choose Him so that we may be able to be with Him and dine with Him in the eternal banquet in His heavenly kingdom, just like what is being stated in the First Reading and the parable narrated by Christ in the Gospel. 

One important detail that must be given attention to and taken note of is the last part of the longer version of the Gospel for this Sunday where Jesus narratate that the king punished a man who was not dressed in a wedding garment by having him sent out by the guards and casted out into the darkness (Matthew 22:11-13). What does this last part of the longer version of the Gospel teach us? Every opportunity that the Lord gives us to choose Him needs to be valued. Yes, the Lord will continue to give us numerous opportunities to choose Him by choosing to live holy lives, but we must value each and every one in preparation for eternal life with Him in His presence forever in heaven where He has prepared a feast for all of us. Just like what was said in the First Reading, the banquet of the Lord in heaven is open to all. The Lord God continues to give us many chances to choose eternal life with Him in the heavenly banquet for as long as we live in this earth. However, we must not waste these opportunities because we will not live here on earth forever. Our lives may seem to be long, but we must remember, there will come a time when we must leave this earth and move on to the next life. We will not find eternal life on earth because the life here on earth is limited, short, and temporary. 

In a way, the opportunities God gives us to choose Him and the path of holiness so that we will be able to join Him and dine with Him forever in the eternal banquet in His eternal heavenly kingdom are limited time offers. Yes, He does for us daily for as long as we live here on earth, but, given the fact that our lives here on earth are not eternal but temporary, the opportunities God gives us are limited time offers. 

How must we respond to these limited time offers given to us by God? The example that Saint Paul the Apostle exhibits in the Second Reading is something we must follow. In the Second Reading, we hear the famous words of Saint Paul the Apostle “I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). We hear these words being quoted by many people, but many people tend to forget the context of these words. Saint Paul the Apostle, when he wrote these words, was referring to the numerous struggles he faced in his mission as apostle and missionary to the Gentiles. If we were to make educated guesses on what should have happened to him, without knowing what already happened, there was absolutely no way we would think Saint Paul the Apostle would or should have been able to withstand and conquer these challenges and hardships in life. However, he was able to do so because he became open to the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Now, how would the example of Saint Paul the Apostle in the Second Reading apply to us in the modern age? Choose holiness. By choosing holiness, we choose the Lord God wholeheartedly. It is in choosing to walk the path of holiness that we open ourselves to Him wholeheartedly. We allow the grace of the Lord God to move us and see how wonderful the opportunity to be with Him forever in the heavenly banquet truly is. Through this, we accept the limited offers God continues to give us each day of our temporary lives here on earth. 

We are reminded this Sunday that our lives here on earth are temporary. No matter how many times God gives us opportunities to choose eternal life with Him in His eternal kingdom in heaven, the opportunities God gives us are limited time offers. Thus, we must think carefully and value each opportunity the Lord God gives us to choose Him and eternity with Him in His heavenly kingdom.  

Prayer

Lord, as we continue to live our lives here on earth, You continue to give us multiple opportunities to accept this limited time offer of eternity with You in Your heavenly kingdom. Help us recognize the value of Your offer to be with You forever in heaven and may we be open to Your grace, love, and mercy so that we may be able to offer You our wholehearted “Yes” as our response to Your invitation. Amen.