FROM THE PULPIT TWENTY EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME REFLECTION BY FATHER BENOIT MUKAMBA
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FROM THE PULPIT
TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A
SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 25: 6-10a; Psalm 23: 1-6; Philippians 4: 12-14, 19-20; Matthew 22: 1-12.
REFLECTIONS: The Inviting Servants
Fr. Benoit Mukamba, CSSp.
The Reign of God is presented to us in the readings as a joyful banquet to which we are all freely invited. The description of this banquet makes us imagine being at a first class dinner or in a classy restaurant. With joyful faces and eyes wide open, waiting impatiently for the delicious meal surrounded with happy well-dressed friends. The Gospel is about this happy message. Pope Francis wrote an encyclical entitled “The Joy of the Gospel”, to emphasis on the reality of Joy that Jesus brings in our lives for those who receive him. That happy moment starts right here and now and its plenitude in the life to come. What invited guest would not only reject the invitation but go to the extent of killing the servants who brought it? Unfortunately, we have seen it happen in the kingdom of God on earth. Some of our modern time prophets have been gunned down or jailed. Many unnamed martyrs have died for the sake of the Gospel. They went happily washed in the blood of the lamb. They are now robbed in white enjoying the plenitude of the banquet of the lamb that was slain, Jesus Christ. Though they looked like losers in the eyes of men, they are victors in eternal life. Their faith and righteous deeds have earned them the white robes. (Revelation 19-21).
I would presume that all of us here present have responded positively to our initial call in the Kingdom. We have come to know also that there are no shortcuts or cheating to get in the banquet of Jesus. The lesson about the guest found without a wedding garment should warn us. Apostle Paul exhorts everyone to work for one’s salvation in the spirit of reverence and awe as coworkers with God (Phil 2: 12-13; Rom 12: 1-2). At this point, I would like to invite you to focus on the inviting servants and identify ourselves with them. Servants are entrusted with the delicate but dangerous duty to bring in guests. The Reign of God is already here even though not fully revealed to us. If we have really encountered Jesus and discovered the joy of the Gospel, we ought to feel compelled to share it with the neighbor we talk or work with; share it with the stranger we meet. Less we become like the guests who arrived single in my story. There was a couple that organized a feast for their daughter in a luxury hotel. On the invitation card, they wrote, “No gift expected or required. Please, bring a friend with you”. On the evening of the feast, guests started arriving. The welcoming team notified the Master of ceremony that some quests have arrived singles, without a friend accompanying. The MC simply replied there was no table for singles. Sorry we cannot take them in.
Therefore, beloved in the Lord, let us savor the joy of encountering Jesus who has transformed our lives. We taste of his banquet in the Eucharist we share that reminds us of the free gift of the grace of God. Let us remain focused on the fullness of joy and happiness awaiting us where God will be openly with us.