Readings: Ezekiel 36:23-28, Ps. 51:12-15,18-19, Matthew 22:1-14
“Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:13-14)
“Come and eat” is a universal language. Being invited to a meal is an honour. Turning down an invitation without any reason is a sign of irresponsibility. However, beating up and even killing the person who brought the invitation card is a call for war.
What kind of guests would hear “Come and eat” and still refuse to show up? This is very strange! But then, this is our situation today. We reject His generous invitation by not living according to God’s mind. When we allow sin to fester in our lives for whatever excuse, we are just like the guests who gave various reasons for their refusal to attend. We prove to God that these excuses are more important than our love for Him.
When we maltreat those who tell us the truth and call us to repentance (just like Herod, who killed John the Baptist), we are like the guests in Jesus’ parable who killed the servants of the Master just because they brought invitation cards. The behaviour of these guests is a pointer to what the Prophet Ezekiel describes in today’s First Reading. They had hearts of stone; they were bold enough to maltreat the Master’s servants sent to deliver good news to them.
When those invited did not show up, the Master extended the invitation to everyone. The common lie we tell ourselves is: “People are bad, but I am not that bad; I am better than most people; in fact, I am trying.” This was how the Jews felt when Jesus told them: “In truth, I tell you, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you.” (Matthew 21:31). Even the Prophet Ezekiel, in our first reading today, testifies that God will gather people from all nations.
Being church-going Christians is the invitation card we have been given, but if we don’t leave our homes and respond to this invitation (by the life we live), we cannot partake of the banquet of heaven. This brings us to the second aspect of the parable: something free does not mean it is cheap. The fact that the guests were invited on a platter of gold did not give any of them the right to come in without a wedding garment.
The man who came in without a wedding garment symbolises many Christians who take God for granted today: Christians who abuse the sacrament of penance, Christians who do not believe that God has a say in what they do with their bodies, Christians who are wolves in sheep’s clothing; Christians who try to eat their cake and still have it at the same time. Salvation is free but not cheap. Faith without works is dead. If you say you love God, let your love inspire your good works; put on your wedding garment – behave like someone preparing to spend forever in God’s presence.
Today, we remember St. Bernard of Clairvaux. He was born near Dijon, France, in 1090, of a noble family. Bernard was a man of great holiness and wisdom, and although he was often in very poor health, he was active in many of the great public debates of the time. He strongly opposed the luxurious lives of some of the clergy and fought against the persecution of the Jews. He was also a prolific writer of an inspiring rather than a technical kind. The Church is always suffering from corruption and always being renewed. If St Bernard, so often ill, could take a leading part in this renewal, what excuse do we have?
Let us pray: O God, who made of the Abbot Saint Bernard a man consumed with zeal for your house and a light shining and burning in your Church, grant, through his intercession, that we may be on fire with the same spirit and walk always as children of light. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Saint Bernard, Abbot, Doctor. Liturgical Colour: White. Bible Study: Ezekiel 36:23-28, Ps. 51:12-15,18-19, Matthew 22:1-14)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu