Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to 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.”

Guests invited to the feast

1) A wedding feast for his son. For a Jewish father, his son’s wedding is a momentous occasion. In God’s eyes, life is also a celebration—a feast to be lived and enjoyed. You’re called to appreciate each day and live every moment fully because life is short. You’re alive and healthy, so what’s keeping you from making the most of it? Why remain trapped in resentment or anger? Why shut yourself away or let illness and hardship become a constant reason to say, “I can’t”? When you stop embracing life, you may also allow bitterness toward someone who hurt you to take root in your heart. You’re invited to live differently. Give yourself the chance to change your perspective today.

2) Invitation. Throughout your life—and even today—God has sent people and circumstances to help you appreciate the gift of life, and He’ll continue to do so. It might be someone who cares deeply about you or a doctor who keeps reminding you to look after your health. So many people care about you and warn you when things aren’t going well. Some time ago, I visited a nearby children’s hospital and met a little girl with an incredible desire to live. I asked what she wanted to do when she left the hospital, and she said she wanted to go to the countryside and look at the stars at night. Nothing could be simpler—or more beautiful. You and I may be able to do that today, yet we often fail to enjoy life’s simplest gifts. You may have a lot on your mind right now, but are you truly living life to the fullest?

3) Wedding garment. Wearing the wedding garment means being “dressed”, being ready to live your life with the Lord. It means having a repentant heart and embracing the way of life Jesus offers you. You can’t ignore your experiences, struggles, failures, or achievements. Instead, accept your story and learn to see it through God’s eyes. Christian life isn’t merely a devotion; it’s a way of living that calls you to embrace your past, face your challenges, and recognize each day as a unique opportunity to love God and others.

Remember that something good is on the way! 

God bless you and be with you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.