Invite Whoever You Find
Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
For a shorter option of today’s Gospel reading, please visit: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
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.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This parable about the Kingdom of God has both stern and merciful parts to it. It is always a wicked thing to reject an invitation to God’s Kingdom. However, look at the great mercy that is brought about by this rejection of God. At the rejection of the King and his invitation by those first invited, the king then says, “Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find…” whomever you find. Whom is God willing to welcome into the Kingdom? Anyone.
God is willing to welcome anyone into His kingdom, “the good and the bad alike.” Does it sound strange that the bad can be welcomed into the Kingdom of God? God, in His infinite mercy, pardons sinners of their past offenses against Him. One central truth present in this parable is that it is God who saves us; we cannot save ourselves. He saves us not because we deserve it, but because He is merciful. Another truth presented in this parable is that we must accept His invitation of mercy. We aren’t automatically saved; we must accept and respond to His grace. Our one job, always, is to say “Yes” to God.
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above.(Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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