28A SUNDAY HOMILY, MATTHEW 22:1-14, OCTOBER 15, 2023
1. STORY
I asked a priest friend, who had just returned from Rome, what was it he
enjoyed most when he was in Rome. I
thought he might say a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica, or a visit to the
catacombs, or a famous building. To my
great surprise, he said the highlight of his trip was having breakfast with
Pope St. John Paul II. When he learned
that it was possible for a priest to do this, he immediately applied for the
privilege thinking he would not be so lucky as to be selected. To his great surprise and delight, he was
informed to be at the Vatican in the morning. He was one of a group of priests
who attended the Pope’s Mass which was followed by breakfast with the Pope. That morning was what he enjoyed most when he
was in Rome.
2. GOSPEL: Matthew 22:1-14
A. THE KING PREPARD A BANQUET
The king prepared a wonderful wedding banquet for his son. He prepared the very best foods for this joyful event as he wanted his guests who attended to be happy.
B. THE RESPONSE OF THE INVITED
Despite the great honor of being invited to this great meal, those
invited refused to come. They were busy
with their farm, business, or other activities. They ignored the invitation, so the king
invited others to the feast.
3. APPLICATION TO LIFE
A. THE MASS IS TODAY’S BANQUET
The Mass is today’s banquet prepared for us by God our king. During this great feast, there are three things to remember. First, we are blessed to be able to hear the instructive word of God which guides us as we travel through life. As today’s psalm says, “He guides me in right paths.” Second, we receive the Eucharist, the bread of life, which gives us strength to be strong and faithful disciples of Jesus. The psalm continues, “Beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul.” Third, we have the opportunity to praise God, to thank him for all his blessings, to ask for forgiveness, and to make requests for ourselves and for others.
B. GOD INVITES US TO THIS BANQUET. WE SHOULD REMEMBER THESE THREE
POINTS.
First, we are blessed to be invited to this great banquet. We say at each Mass, “Blessed are those called
to the supper of the Lamb.” Second, we should make every effort to attend
SUNDAY Mass and we should come to Mass a few minutes before Mass to prepare our
hearts and minds to participate properly. Third, we must listen carefully to the word of
God and the homily and receive the Eucharist each time you attend Mass except
if you have committed a mortal sin.
4. CONCLUSION
The highlight of my priest friend’s visit to Rome was to have a meal
with the Pope. This was a great
honor, and he was overjoyed to be selected to attend. In the parable of the banquet, it was a king
who invited the guests to come and to enjoy his company and food. They sadly refused the invitation and so the
king invited others to come to this great event. The Mass is the great banquet God has prepared
for us. We should feel honored and
blessed to be chosen to attend this great meal. We should attend Mass every Sunday, be on
time, listen carefully to the message that God has for us, and receive Holy
Communion except when in the state of mortal sin. Blessed are those who are invited to the
Supper of the Lamb.
