Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isaiah 25:6-10a; Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20; Matthew 22:1-14
The first part of the Book of Isaiah provides this weekend’s first reading at Mass.
Understanding the cultural, social, political and economic context surrounding the composition of biblical texts always helps to capture their meaning.
Generally, times were not good for the chosen people. Aside from bursts of prosperity and peace under David and Solomon, they usually had to cope with war, invasion, want or worse.
Also, usually, the prophets saw little that they could truly applaud. Invariably the prophets wrote that human sin, not divine revenge or indifference to human distress, was the cause of trouble in the world. So the prophets demanded that people always be true to God.
This passage was written when times were not all that bad, but dark storm clouds lay on the horizon. The people, generally speaking, were lukewarm in honoring God. Isaiah loudly protested that this religious sluggishness surely would be their downfall.
Isaiah also insisted that if the people were faithful to God, all would be right. Peace, security and prosperity would prevail. Tears would be wiped away. Fears would be stilled. People would rejoice that God had saved them. God would be in their hearts.
The second reading is from the Epistle to the Philippians. On several occasions recorded in Acts or in the Pauline epistles, Paul was imprisoned, having been convicted for preaching against the establishment or simply for disturbing the peace. This passage from Philippians was written while Paul was in prison.
Jail, humiliation and abuse were Paul’s plight. Nevertheless, he said that his faith in God never wavered. His commitment to proclaiming the Gospel always led him. Nothing else mattered to him.
God gave Christ to the world. Paul felt that he had to extend this gift far and wide.
St. Matthew’s Gospel furnishes the last reading. The reading is a parable, with three developments.
First, a “king,” who represents God, invited guests, familiar and even privileged, to a wedding banquet for his son. These people rejected the invitation. Next, the king invited other guests. They also ignored the invitation, distracted by other concerns. Finally, the king invited outcasts and strangers to the feast. They came.
As all celebrated, the king saw a guest who was improperly dressed. He ordered this guest to be removed.
The king’s servants represent the prophets. The privileged guests who spurn the invitation represent the people of Israel. The invited with other interests are those who think themselves without need for God. The outcasts and strangers represent gentiles and the sinful.
God’s mercy extends to everyone. Even so, God drags no one into the kingdom of heaven. Sinners must reform to be worthy of God’s invitation.
Reflection
Times are changing in France. A century ago, the Catholic faith was vibrantly alive. The country was, as medieval popes described it, “the most Christian nation.” Then religious devotion plunged.
Considering recent events, it appears that many French, especially young adults, have found the religion of their ancestors. Religious practice is returning, big time.
Pope Leo XIV’s visit to France last month confirmed what seems to be the trend. His trip was triumphant.
People want to feel that life has a purpose. They sense a bond with other human beings. They reject mistreatment of others. They crave for support in their lives that will not fail. They want to hope in the future.
Face facts. Reform. The Gospels tell us that Jesus is the answer, as so many in France are realizing.