Homily (Reflection) for Thursday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time (I), (19th August, 2021) on the Gospel
Judg 11:29-39;
Ps 39:5.7-10 (R.vv.8-9);
Matt 22:1-14.
Topic: Readiness for the banquet.
In today’s gospel, Jesus likened the kingdom of heaven to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. But those who were invited made light of it, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized the slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. In anger, the king destroyed them and burned their city. He sent his slaves into the main streets to invite everyone. The king noticed a man without a wedding robe in the hall filled with guests and asked him how he entered without a wedding robe but he was speechless. The man was bound hand and foot, and thrown into the place of suffering.
Knowing that the man without the
wedding robe was among those found on the streets, many might judge his
punishment as unfair. However, in the Jewish culture, the wedding guests put on
wedding robes provided by the host before entering the hall.
Again, the parable is about the
kingdom of heaven. Jesus stresses the need to be ever ready, cf. Lk 12: 37.
It is a very big privilege to be
invited to the banquet, cf. Rev 19:9.
However those invited made light of it. One’s robe must be washed to have the
right to enter by the gates, cf. Rev
22:14. And anyone who does not enter by the gate is a thief and a robber,
cf. Jn 10:1.
We have the singular privilege to be invited to the banquet.
The issue is whether we take it serious or make light of it. However, whoever
fails to take it serious will be thrown into the place of suffering, cf. Lk 14:24. Decide
for either the place of suffering or the banquet today.
Bible Reading: Ps 119:1-16; Lk
12:35-40.
Thought for today: God is inviting you to a banquet.
Let us pray: Lord, help us to be ever ready for
the great banquet – Amen.
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