Prayer – O Jesus, may I always respond to your invitations.
Imagination – (Picture Jesus confronting his enemies.)
Context:
In this gospel, Jesus confronts his opponents in Jerusalem during the days before his capture. In this parable, the invited guests represent Jerusalem leaders. They refuse to come, even when the servant asks the second time. The banquet gets filled but not with those initially invited. The man ejected is a disciple who was baptized but does not practice the virtues.
Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)
Jesus spoke to the chief priests and elders by using parables. “The Kingdom of heaven is like a king who had a wedding feast for his son. He sent his servants to call the invited but they would not come. He sent other servants who said, “Behold, I have prepared my dinner. My bullocks and cattle are killed. All is ready. Come to the feast.”
But some ignored the invitation and went on their way, to their farm or to their business. Others insulted the servants and killed them. When the king heard this, he was angry and sent his army to destroy those murderers and burn their city.
Then he said to his servants, “The banquet is ready but those invited to come are not worthy. Go into the byroads and invite to the wedding whomever you might find”. The servants went into the byroads and drew in all whom they found, the bad as well as the good. This filled the wedding hall with banqueters.
When the king came in to greet the guests, he saw a man not properly dressed for the wedding. He said, “My friend, how is it that you came not properly dressed. The man had nothing to say. The king said, “Put him out into the night”. The invited are many. The elect are few.
Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)
1. The invited guests were the Jewish leaders who rejected Jesus’ invitation to the Kingdom.
2. After this Jewish rejection, all the world is invited to the banquet.
3. God uses every possible means to bring people into his banquet.
4. He wants his churches filled with believers.
5. The man without a wedding garment is a disciple who was baptized but did not clothe himself with virtues.
6. He accepted the invitation but did nothing more.
7. The invited guests must love and imitate the son.
Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)
1. Jesus, how many times you have invited me to the banquet!
2. I will set everything aside. Nothing must come before your Kingdom.
3. O Jesus, You want heaven to be filled to overflowing. I will be there!
4. O Jesus, thank you for my Baptism. Let me live it wholeheartedly.
5. I fear only one thing – that you would ever say to me, “Depart from my Kingdom.”
Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own)
1. I will listen carefully today to God’s many invitations – in my heart and through others.
2. I will thank God for my Catholic faith.
Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation)
They went everywhere to fill the wedding hall with banqueters.
