Weeks 801-810
 

Oratory of Divine Love Reflection 801: Invitation to the Wedding Feast (Isaiah 25 : 6-10a ;  Philippians 4: 12-14 & 19-20 ; Mathew 22 : 1-10)

 

[Isaiah]

On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines. On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from every face; the reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken. On that day it will be said: "Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the LORD for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!" For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain

 

[Philippians]

Brothers and sisters: I know how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. I can do all things in him who strengthens me. Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress. My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father, glory forever and ever. Amen.

 

[Matthew]

Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and elders of the people in parables, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. A second time he sent other servants, saying, 'Tell those invited: "Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast."' Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, 'The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.' The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests."

 

Reflection

 

Fellow pilgrims, God loves and cares for us, as ‘the new house of Israel’ and his vineyard (cf. Isa 5:1-7), and he continues to assure us this weekend that he always provides us with all we need to do his will. As we read, our loving God has prepared a banquet of rich food and drinks for all the nations on Mount Zion; for in the fulfillment of God’s work of salvation, he will destroy all evils, sufferings, humiliations and bereavements, and protect us from all that would harm us (Isa 25:6-10).

 

Now, this is not just a promise of the hereafter, for today, Christians have already started to enjoy this prophetic oracle in the victory gained over sin and death by Jesus, through his death and resurrection. This joy will be complete for the just when they are admitted into the presence and community of God’s life, as always depicted in the image of the messianic banquet at the end of time. For instance, John noted: “…Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb… ‘These words are true; they come from God.’” (Rev 19:9). In other words, out of his love, God spreads a banquet before us to satisfy all our needs today and in the hereafter. And this benevolence of God seen in the heavenly banquet/meal in God’s kingdom, to which he has invited us, is what the parable about the king that prepared and invited people to a wedding banquet depicted (Matt 22:1-14).

 

Also, the wedding banquet speaks to us about the Mass, the Eucharistic feast of the here and now — that benevolent feast to which the Lord invites us today in this life. But we must remember that we qualify for this marvelous feast in the Holy Communion by first being prepared accordingly. This is why the parable also addressed our response and readiness; noting that while some of those invited failed to show up at the wedding party for one reason or the other (Matt 22:5-6), one showed up in the wrong attire/dress (v. 11).

 

So, today, we need to reflect on why we fail to turn up for Mass or to partake in the Holy Communion. Have we forgotten that we gain spiritual strength from the Eucharistic nourishment for our Christian warfare and struggles (Isa 25:7-10); and that by partaking of it we become God-centered (Phil 4:12-13)? And do we forget that to attend the Eucharist with the wrong dress (state of grace) merits severe punishment (Matt 22:11-14)?

 

Now, our experience tells us that life can be difficult; it can be full of physical, medical, emotional, intellectual, financial, social and spiritual challenges. These challenges are the mountains we have to climb, and the preparations we must make to be in the wedding dress; for we have to climb up to Mount Zion to partake of the feast (Isa 25:6).

We must remember that there are severe punishments and consequences of spiritual death, for refusing the invitation, for failure and lack of interest, for refusing to climb the mount, and for refusing to wear the wedding dress. As the gospel says: “The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city” (Matt 22:7). And for the man not dressed for the wedding, he was thrown out of the party: “Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth’” (Matt 22:13).

 

Finally, we must remember that if God has prepared the banquet on his mountain, he will certainly equip us with the strength and serenity to walk the pilgrim journey up to the mountain where he will wipe our tears when the fullness of the kingdom is realized; for he, the Lord, is Our Shepherd who benevolently feeds and cares for us (Ps 23; Phil 4:19); and gives us grace and strength to endure all things, especially with our attendance to Mass as often as possible to partake in the Eucharist.

Peace!

 

Fr. Francis Chukwuma

 

Prayer: "O Lord, we cannot go to the pool of Siloe to which you sent the blind man. But we have the chalice of Your Precious Blood, filled with life and light.”

 

Quote from a Saint: “With all the strength of my soul I urge you young people to approach the Communion table as often as you can. Feed on this bread of angels whence you will draw all the energy you need to fight inner battles. Because true happiness, dear friends, does not consist in the pleasures of the world or in earthly things, but in peace of conscience, which we have only if we are pure in heart and mind.”—Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati

 

Questions for reflection:

1. Have you ever felt that God did not give you everything that you need to do His will? How did you reconcile that to that promises that He gave us in scripture?

2. Do you feel like you are attending a wedding feast when you participate in the Mass? What are the similarities?

3. How can viewing the Mass as a wedding prepare you for Mass?

4. How can the trials and tribulations of life prepare you for the wedding feast of the Mass and the banquet of Heaven?

5. What happens when you fail to attend Mass? How is it detrimental to your spiritual health?

6. What happens to those who refuse the invitation to attend the wedding banquet?

7. What can those who have refused God’s call do to heal the spiritual damage when they refuse the call?

8. What are some ways that you can or have effectively encouraged someone to accept God’s invitation?

-Benjamin and Kristen Rinaldo, CfP