But those who were invited were not worthy

Jdg 11,29-39a; Ps 39; Mt 22,1-14
22 AUGUST

The Lord wants every man to come to the knowledge of the truth that is in Christ Jesus. He wants him to welcome the Gospel of truth and grace, justice and eternal life. The Apostles are sent all over the world, to all peoples, all tribes and all nations of every language. For our Creator and Father there are no worthy and unworthy men. He really loves the salvation of all. Christ was given to the world. The Gospel is given to the world. Light and truth are given to the world. Whoever does not welcome Christ is not worthy of Christ. For the Father he was worthy of Jesus. But he declared, proclaimed himself unworthy with his refusal. Even the Acts of the Apostles attest this truth. Paul preaches to everyone. The Jews consider themselves unworthy of the Gospel. It is they who consider themselves such. Sending them Paul, God had considered them worthy.

Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave. As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you. Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words – go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet. Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it (Mt 10,11-15.37-39).

On the following Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said. Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first, but since you reject it and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, ‘I have made you a light to the Gentiles, that you may be an instrument of salvation to the ends of the earth.'” The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this and glorified the word of the Lord. All who were destined for eternal life came to believe, and the word of the Lord continued to spread through the whole region. The Jews, however, incited the women of prominence who were worshipers and the leading men of the city, stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their territory. So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. The disciples were filled with joy and the holy Spirit (At 13,44-52).

The king sends his servants to call the guests. Rejecting the invitation for other reason, they considered themselves unworthy to attend the party. They will stay forever out. Instead, who accepts the invitation is also obliged to observe the laws of the invitation. He must present himself with a worthy wedding dress. The law must be observed. It obliges everyone.

Jesus again in reply spoke to them 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. He 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.”

Here is the evil of our days. The servants no longer go around calling. Those who are moved by the Holy Spirit and come to the Church are made sons of perdition. It is taught that the law must be observed. All will be welcomed without any necessary obedience.

Mother of God, Angels and Saints, free the Christian people from all falsehood and lie.