GOD’S UNIVERSAL INVITATION AND OUR PERSONAL RESPONSE

 

Homily for the Twenty-eight Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, Isch

Scriptural Texts: Isaiah 25:6-10, Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20, Matthew 22:1-14

 

In the readings of this 28^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we find the theme of invitation to the Lord’s feast or banquet and our response to the Lord’s invitation. In the first reading for instance, the prophet Isaiah paints a vivid picture of a banquet on the mountain of the Lord. He says that this is a feast of rich foods and choice wines, a banquet of all banquets (Isaiah 25:6). Imagine a table set with the finest delicacies, and now imagine this is the image of God’s kingdom. This abundant feast symbolizes the unimaginable riches of God’s grace and God’s invitation to this banquet is extended to us all.

In the gospel reading, Jesus shares a parable about a king who throws a wedding feast for his son. The parable begins with a king sending out invitations to his son’s wedding feast (Matthew 22:1-4). This initial invitation represents God’s call to us. He invites us to enter into a relationship with him, to share in the joy of his kingdom. It is an invitation of pure grace, extended to all without discrimination. God’s desire is to see his banquet hall filled with guests.

Every invitation requires a response. The Lord invites us to come but as free beings, he allows us to respond to his invitation. In the parable, we encounter the different responses to the king’s invitation. Some invitees dismiss the call, preoccupied with their own concerns while other even killed the servants (Matthew 22:5-6). Their refusal highlights a profound human tendency: to prioritize our earthly pursuits over our spiritual ones. In our lives, we may sometimes find ourselves responding similarly. The cares and distractions of this world can, at times, drown out the gentle call of God. We may be entangled in the busyness of life, the pursuit of material success, or the demands of our daily routines. But let us remember that these earthly concerns, while important, should never overshadow our response to God’s invitation.

Despite the initial rejections, the king’s banquet hall is eventually filled. However, the attendees are not the originally invited guests; instead, they are chosen from the streets. This shift emphasizes God’s inclusivity and the surprising nature of his grace. The invitation is broad, but it demands a response. We are all called, but not all choose to answer. Still, our personal response requires more than a mere acceptance; it demands that we allow God's grace to shape us from the inside out. It means living a life of faith, love, and service, as we journey toward the heavenly banquet. Many people respond to the invitation but not all are admitted. Those who do respond find themselves clothed in the wedding garment of faith and righteousness. They accept God’s invitation and are transformed by it. In this parable, the wedding garment symbolizes a heart open to God’s grace and a life lived in accordance with his will.

Dear friend, as we ponder this parable, let us reflect on our personal response to God’s call. Are we among the chosen, clothed in the wedding garment of faith and righteousness? Have we accepted God’s invitation and transformed our lives accordingly? Or are we distracted by the affairs of the world, allowing them to overshadow our spiritual journey? Let us bear in mind that God’s invitation is universal, but our response is deeply personal. We have the power to choose to prioritize our relationship with God, to accept his invitation, and to wear the wedding garment of faith. May this reflection inspire us to respond with open hearts, to embrace God’s grace, and to be among the chosen guests at the heavenly banquet. Amen.