Gospel – Matthew 22:1-14

Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and elders of the people
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.
But when the king came in to meet the guests,
he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment.
The king said to him, ‘My friend, how is it
that you came in here without a wedding garment?’
But he was reduced to silence.
Then 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.’
Many are invited, but few are chosen.”

Reflection on the Gospel

Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.

Many are invited, but few are chosen…..

With this Gospel I often think about the invitation, are we invited – and if so – are we doing our best to invite others? Often the messages that so many of our students are receiving are so different than the Gospel Messages. Are we inviting to others around us or are we too caught up with all the work, activities, and events in our own lives? The Gospel is clear that many may choose not to participate or wish to become involved, but we can not give up – inviting – regardless of our own frustrations.

Reflecting on the last part of the Gospel, the man who is cast out – due to his lack of a gift for the wedding – I take this as trouble bringing our gifts to the bigger table – with each other. Do we share ourselves – our personal gifts with those around us or closest to us? Our gift – is ourselves, are we a bright light to others – making their life better for knowing us? The Gospel challenges us to not only reflect on the impact we have on others but how can we involve others in our daily expression of the Gospel message. Are we chosen?? If so – what do we do with that responsibility?

Brother Ken Kalinowski, FSC – Theology Teacher
DeLaSalle Collegiate High School – Warren, MI

Saint John Baptist de La Salle – Pray for us.
Live, Jesus, in our hearts – Forever.