October 11
The Parable of the
Wedding Feast
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Today’s Gospel:
Matthew 22:1-10
(The Parable of
the Wedding Feast)
Jesus again in reply spoke to them 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:
Isaiah
paints a picture that makes my mouth water: the Lord throws a banquet on the
mountain for all peoples, with rich food and the finest wines! And at that
feast God wipes away the tears from every face. Saint Paul says he has learned
the secret of every situation, whether he has little or plenty: he can do all
things through Christ who strengthens him, and God supplies every need. What a
God! A Host who feeds us comforts us and strengthens us.
Then Jesus tells us the King has prepared a wedding feast for His Son,
and the invitations go out! Some guests are too busy to come, so the King does
something wonderful: he sends his servants to the highways to invite everyone
they find. And the hall fills up! That’s us, friends. We are the servants with
the invitations. We don’t have to argue anyone into the party. We just say,
come, the feast is ready!
Nobody knew a wedding feast better than Our Lady. At Cana she noticed
the wine had run out, brought the need to Jesus, and then spoke the last words
of hers recorded in the Gospels: she told the servants to do whatever He tells
them. What a Hostess! Every Mass is the wedding feast of the Lamb, and she is
still pointing everyone toward her Son. Beneath the Standard of Mary, we carry
invitations, and her advice for every guest is the same.
Who could you invite to Mass or to pray a Rosary
with you this week? Is there someone too busy, too hurt, or too
shy to come to the feast? Ask Our Lady to help you extend the invitation, and
then watch the Lord fill the room.
Rosary Man Jim 🌹
Freely given. Freely
shared.
