YOU ARE WELCOME, but INCLUDED?

First Reading: Is 25:6-10
Second Reading: Phil 4:12-14, 19-20
Gospel: Mt 22:1-14

In this month of October we observe the world day of food. The significance of this day is to value the most important need of human living; the food. Everyone needs food to live and moreover needs good food to lead a healthy and long life. In all our celebrations, the one thing that we give more attention and importance is food. God used this same physical need of the human being as typos to communicate the mysteries of our divine life. The Eucharistic celebration is a shared meal. Word of God is presented as food for the souls. Prophets were called to eat the divine word (Ezk 3:3). Hence, just as the material food is the symbol of celebration in the earthly life, there is a heavenly food through which we are called to celebrate our life with God in spirit. Eucharist is the concrete manifestation of this heavenly food. The physical reception of the tiny host which may not be enough to fill one’s stomach, nevertheless has immense power to transform the person. The Eucharistic meal is a preparation for the reception of great festive meal which all the faithful would share with the Lord in heaven (Rev 19:1-9). The wedding feast mentioned in the first and the gospel readings are about that heavenly meal.

In the Gospel, the host of the wedding banquet is the king who offers this special meal for the wedding of his son. This king is none other than our Heavenly Father. The wedding feast is the marriage of His Son Jesus, the bridegroom who marries the Church, the bride. In the parable the king sends out his slaves to call those who have been invited for the wedding feast. Sadly, their response is indifference (Mt 22:3). They hardly pay any attention to that invitation. The King out of his mercy sends some other slaves to invite them for a second time, thinking that they may turn up as he has changed the personnel. This time they respond very negatively, rather they even harm the messengers (Mt 22:6). This infuriates the king. No one can imagine such a situation. If one receives the invitation from a higher ranking official in the society for a party, who would ask for an excuse. Yet, in Jesus’s parable there is an excuse, indifference and violent reply toward king’s servants. The people who denied the invitation for the festive meal in the parable are Israelites who consistently resisted the slaves of God whom God had sent to them continuously in the form of patriarchs, judges and prophets. Their rejection opens the way for the others to be part of this grant party (Mt 8:11-12).

The gentiles get access to the king’s wedding celebration as the invitees have deserted their privilege. It is very interesting to note that the rejection of the Israelites opens the door not for any other particular group, rather for all kinds of people (Mt 22:9-10). Earlier God chose one particular group of people as His heir. Now when the heirs renounce their right to inheritance, it is shared with all. The refusal of one group benefits many ethnic, linguistic and cultural groups. Albeit everyone is welcomed to the party, not all are accepted. The king throws out the one who is present in the party without the weeding garment (Mt 22:11-14). The kingdom of God is for all; good and bad, righteous and unrighteous. All types of people receive invitation for the wedding banquet. This invitation from the king who call everyone without looking at their status is a gracious act. The psalmist sings beautifully; it is through the greatness of thy love and mercy that I have got access to thy house. Our status as Christians comes from the mercy of God. We don’t deserve this right, yet we are given access to life in God. The man who attended the weeding feast without proper garment signifies people who passively partake in Christian life. Anyone who receives the undeserved invitation from the king to enter his palace would surely present him/herself with best clothing that one has. All who enter the palace for the wedding banquet would surely adhere to the protocols and disciplines of the palace. As Christians we are called to present ourselves in the kingdom as best as one could and fulfil the demands of the kingdom. We need to confirm ourselves with the demands of the Kingdom. The man who entered the wedding banquet without proper dress remains speechless when king confronts him (Mt 22:12). This attitude of silence is the representation of many Christians who profess Christianity only in their certificates. There is no place for silent and passive Christians. Just as Jesus professed His allegiance to the Father openly, we all need to witness Christ in our word and deed. Being a salt and light for the world is our call (Mt 5:13-16). Israelites were thrown out since they neglected the call. We who have received mercy should not miss the opportunity. What is the use if we have accepted the call, yet failed to enjoy the meal? In that case it is better to be Israelites than passive Christians.

Yes, Christian life is very demanding. All are welcomed yet not all are included. The inclusion depends on us. St. Paul could be our model for our Christian living. In the second reading, St. Paul speaks about his richness and poverty. He was able to live in plenty and in little (Phil 4:12). There are privileges as well as challenges in Christian life. We must be able to live in all circumstances. For that we need to rely on God who strengthens us in all situations (Phil 4:13). When we do this we are included in the kingdom. We have received and accepted the invitation to be part of God’s divine life. Today let us reflect and see how we are adorning ourselves to get hold of the wedding banquet. May God bless you all!

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