Mt 22:1-14
1Jesus spoke to [the chief priests and the Pharisees] in parables, saying, 2“The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. 3He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. 4A 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.” ’ 5Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business.
6The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. 7The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. 8Then he said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. 9Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.’ 10The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests. 11But when the king came in to meet the guests he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. 12He said to him, ‘My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?’ But he was reduced to silence. 13Then 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.’ 14Many are invited, but few are chosen.”
Reflection:
He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast. God always invites us, but we often refuse. His invitation is given freely, gratuitously, with no strings attached or compulsion to abide, but we do not accept it.
Every day is an invitation from God. Every person is a gift, every opportunity an offering, and every moment an open book to be relished. Yet we look elsewhere or prefer to do other things. Only after the moment has passed do we realize what we have missed.
An elderly priest once gave me this advice: “Attend to every invitation given by your parishioners. You will be blessed profoundly.” An old pastor, upon retiring, wrote in his memoir: “I used to complain that there were so many disturbances in my work, until I realized those disturbances were my work!”
No television or music tonight for your whole family; simply enjoy one another.