All Are Welcome

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Tell those who are invited, Behold, I have made ready my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves are killed, and everything is ready; come to the marriage feast.” In today’s gospel reading (Matthew 22:1-14), Jesus tells us yet another parable, this time about a pending wedding feast. The wedding feast is a celebration of the union between the bride and bridegroom. In this particular story, a King’s son is to be married and the King sent out invitations well in advance of the celebration. However, the invited guests, his supposed loyal subjects ignored the invitation. In this parable, the King represents God and Jesus is portrayed the King’s son, the heir to throne. In the Gospels, Jesus is commonly referred to as the bridegroom and we, the church, his bride. We are called to celebrate this union around a great feast. God has sent out many invitations, but the invitations are ignored. As it states in the scripture, “they made light of it and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them.” In stead of listening to the word of God, we make light of our obligations. We do not take seriously the call to obey the commandments. We are too busy with other distractions in our lives. Jesus is waiting for us, are we willing to come to the table.

The parable indicates that the wedding feast was attended by “both bad and good; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.” This means God is inviting every one, even sinners to the wedding feast. All are welcome and no one is turned away; however, you need to be properly dressed for the festival. If we come unprepared and improperly dressed, we will be turned away. Even though God extends his grace, we must be willing to take on the responsibility of his grace. God’s grace only comes into our souls when we are truly receptive and prepared to receive his grace. God invites each of us to the table that we may celebrate in joy of Lord - be prepared and properly dressed.

A Simple Prayer Father in heaven, your grace is enough, You have prepared the banquet table for a feast Help open my heart to your feast.

Yours in Christ Michael Marcon