GROW AS A DISCIPLE
Today’s Gospel comes from the latter chapters of Matthew, in which Jesus repeatedly speaks about our readiness for the end times and the coming judgment. This parable concludes with the striking image of a man being thrown out of the king’s feast because he was not dressed in a proper wedding garment. While Tradition has often used this passage to communicate the importance of being properly disposed when approaching holy Communion, we ought not forget its other sense. To find a place at both the earthly and the heavenly wedding feast of the Lamb, we must strive to clothe ourselves with righteous deeds (see Rev. 19:7-9), cooperating with the grace the Lord has given us in baptism.
GO EVANGELIZE
Our readings today reveal God’s astonishing invitation to all humanity. Isaiah tells us that God “will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines.” The king in Jesus’ parable announces this same divine invitation: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast.” In his letter Desiderio desideravi, Pope Francis wrote: “The world still does not know it, but everyone is invited to the supper of the wedding of the Lamb (Re: 19:9).” (5) As disciples of Jesus, our task is to be like the servants of the king in today’s Gospel. So, too, the Lord sends us out to bring whomever we find to the feast. And, as Pope Francis said, “We must not allow ourselves even a moment of rest, knowing that still not everyone has received an invitation to this Supper or knowing that others have forgotten or have got lost along the way.” (5)
PRAY
Immediately following baptism, infants, children, and adults are clothed in a white garment as an outward sign of the grace just received in the sacrament. In the prayer that accompanies this part of the baptismal rite, the celebrant exhorts the newly baptized to bring this garment unstained before the judgment seat of Christ. Take a moment this day to pray for all the newly baptized in your community, and indeed, for all the baptized – that together, we may strive for the holiness that is fitting for those who have “put on Christ” (Gal 3:27) and so come to share in his heavenly feast.
By The Faithful Disciple