Today we hear about a banquet feast which surpasses all other celebrations. To this feast, people of all nations have been invited. This feast will be a time to celebrate the splendor of our GOD.  Although this is the image in the first reading Is 25, 6-10a which Isaiah describes under the image of a great banquet, the blessings, the contentment and happiness that the messianic kingdom will bring. Concluding his letter to the Philippians Flp 4,12 -14, 19-20, Paul expresses his thanks to the community who has provided for him during his imprisonment.  Paul declares that he knows what it means to be hungry and also to be well-provided for, and he is grateful that the people of Philippi have tended to his needs during his times of difficulty.  Although he has not asked for their help, he is appreciative of their generosity.  He assures them that God will reward them for the charitable aid given him.

The Gospel Mt. 22, 1-14 informs us that some people who have been invited either refuse to come or do not come in the way in which they are expected to come a time of total rejoicing at this feast being brought to us by our GOD. We have the invitation to the wedding feast; in fact, we are already in the banquet hall, since our baptism; but we are challenge to wear the wedding garment of virtue and grace. If not, we are no better than those who rejected the invitation. The king may come in at any moment and cast out those who are not properly dressed. Being a member of the Church on earth is a wonderful privilege, and a sure guarantee that we will reach heaven, if we do what is expected of us. But the same obstacles which prevented the Pharisees from entering the kingdom—love of this world, its wealth and its pleasures—can impede us too, unless we are on our guard. The world with its allurements is very close to us; heaven seems very far away. This implies a daily carrying of the cross, a daily struggle against our evil inclinations, a daily endeavor to acquire true love of God and neighbor, as Father Palau says, “Perfection consists in the fulfillment of the precepts of LOVE: love of God and of neighbors.(C6.6) Through serving the Church we will attain the true meaning of love and offer our life in total service of him and be  available in the banquet that God prepared for us. This may sound superhuman, but Christ did not ask anyone to do the impossible. He led the way, and millions have followed him. He has called us too and has placed within us all the grace we need. If we fail to use these divine helps, if we are found without the wedding garment, we will have no one to blame but ourselves. We have been called with the many and we can be among the “chosen.” 

God invites us all but expects us to come with the good disposition of heart and wear the wedding garments of virtue and grace. 

How do I respond to the wedding feast that God prepared for me? How is my attitude in receiving and responding in His invitation in my daily life?