Homily on “God’s Invitation and Our Response” based on the Gospel reading from Matthew 22:1-14:
Today’s Gospel continues the theme of the parables we heard these past few weeks. There is again God’s invitation to the banquet of His love and people’s refusal to respond.
All is grace. Everything is free. We have already been saved in Christ Jesus because we cannot earn our way to heaven… and the only proper response to God’s love is faith – responding to God’s invitation and entering into a personal relationship of love and trust with Him.
God continues to invite us. He does not force us. He respects our freedom. He knocks into our hearts. We can ignore or refuse that love. But God is always there, inviting us to share in his joy and his divine life.
It is important to note that Jesus compares the joy of responding to God’s love in faith - to enjoying a banquet – a wedding feast - a party filled with warm laughter, rich food, choice wine as described by Isaiah in our first reading.
For our reflection - I will focus – not on those who did not respond but on those who responded and came – referring to us who are here in the banquet of the Lord, the Eucharist.
We heard i the Gospel: “And when the king came to see the guests, he saw a man not dressed in wedding garment… and he was thrown out of the house.” That seems strange and unfair. He responded - but somehow - he was treated like that - just because he was not dressed properly.
It is a parable - meaning - similarly, you are here physically - but are your hearts and minds really here? Why do you come to mass? Is coming to mass every Sunday – for you – just to fulfill an obligation – and after that you are done.
Do you approach this sacred celebration with joyful reverence, spiritual preparation, and genuine love of Christ, the Bridegroom in the wedding banquet?
Is your presence at Mass much more than physical; but an expression of a soul properly clothed, so to speak - joyfully responding to the King’s invitation or in the words of the Gospel, do you come to the banquet but not properly dressed – meaning without proper attitude and disposition.
As the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1128) states: the fruits or actual benefits of the sacraments like the Eucharist depend on the proper disposition of the person receiving them.
The question goes beyond Eucharistic celebration... which is a foretaste of our heavenly banquet.
Is being a Christian a burden for you? …
Do you really rejoice in your faith? You see - we cannot only say that we believe in God. Even the devil believes in God but he does not obey. We cannot only say we love God and that we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior ... we have to prove it by the way we live. We must dress appropriately – so to speak - meaning we need to clothe ourselves with righteousness – filling our minds with good things – and practicing and living our faith.
So - What has your faith journey been like? Do you see Christianity more as a spiritual relationship – responding to God’s invitation to His love, grace and mercy – as a love story, or
Do you see Christianity as just a framework of moral principles and values to live by? .... a religion of do’s and don't s.
Being a Christian, having faith in Christ means more than good behavior and securing a place in heaven later on when we die... A true Christian life means joyous living – in the here and now – regardless of the circumstances we might find ourselves in - even in the midst of pains and troubles in this life – living a life that is rich and deep and full of peace, experiencing peace which Paul describes as "the peace which surpasses all understanding"…
In our second reading (Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20): St. Paul found consolations in his faith in the worst of times and the best of times. St. Paul found strength in Christ in every situation. That is faith at work.
(Philippians, Chapter 4:11) St. Paul said, "…Whatever situation I find myself in I have learned to be content…I have learned to cope with every circumstance.” Paul experienced weakness in his life – (2 Corinthians 12:10) – being shipwrecked - being beaten many times…being imprisoned for the sake of the Gospel.
In his letter to the Corinthians (2 Cor –12:10), St. Paul said: "Therefore, I am content with weakness, with mistreatment, with distress, with persecution and difficulties for the sake of Christ." Here's the key: "For when I am powerless, it is then that I am strong." As we heard in the second reading today: “I can do all things in Christ Who strengthens me.” Can you truly honestly say that for yourself? If not, why not?
St. Paul was talking about his experience, his glorious experience of God ‘s presence and the reality of God’ power in his life. In his letter to the Philippians 4:4. - "Rejoice in the Lord, always. I say it again. Rejoice." – It means that even when we're confronted with bad news, with our own weaknesses, with misfortunes; Paul says, "Rejoice! Be content!" Why? Again - Because when we're powerless, God is strong within us. God is not out there. God is within us.
In other words – when we respond to God in faith – if we are in personal communion loving relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ - we will discover for ourselves the joy of the Christian life, a life that has richness to it, a life that shines and gives comfort and joy also to others, much in the same way a wedding feast gives to everyone – that feeling of blessedness of life – even in the midst of pain and struggles in life.
… And that is how and why - one will not be able to help it - but proclaim and share the Good News of God’s love in Christ with others so they, too, can experience the fullness of life as beloved sons and daughters of God…. Meaning God’s grace, and joy and peace and hope and love flowing through us… not just for our sake but for the sake of others… for the love of God and for the love of our neighbor.
That is why St. Paul said: “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel (1Cor. 9:16)
In the late Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation – The Joy of the Gospel – Evangelii Gaudium - In response to the question - - Why do Catholics NOT share their faith and therefore NOT lead others to Christ? - The Pope says: because Catholics lack joy: because if we have joy, then no one needs to tell us to share and spread the faith, as we will do so naturally and spontaneously, the same way that we share anything that we are passionate about.
So, are you joyful about your faith?
Pope Francis said and I quote: “I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting Him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. No one should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her, since “no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord”.
The Pope Francis continues: I quote: “How good it feels to come back to the Lord whenever we are lost! Let me say this once more: God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking His mercy. Time and time again He bears us on His shoulders. No one can strip us of the dignity bestowed upon us by this boundless and unfailing love.”
“Let us not flee from the resurrection of Jesus, let us never give up, come what will. May nothing inspire us more than His life, which impels us onwards!”
It is so beautiful - in the Gospel acclamation before we read the Gospel – about hope - this is the source of our hope – the love of God – which bring us joy, peace and courage to face whatever life may bring us.
My brothers and sisters in Christ: As we prepare ourselves to come to the banquet feast table of the Lord, let us pray that we are truly appropriately clothed – so to speak – with the right attitude and proper disposition - aware of Who we are about to receive – Jesus Himself - that we worthily receive and partake of the Lamb of God…. With truly grateful, joyful and hopeful hearts. Amen.
