The readings for today speak about the Marriage banquet to which we are invited. In the Gospel proclamation, though many were invited, they missed the opportunity since they had other things to do. This is a reflection of how we may be living our lives. The Marriage celebration is the epitome of the normal life in a community and it is also the highlight in spiritual life.
The book of Revelation tells of the future Marriage of the Lamb to his bride the church and we are looking forward to that glorious event. In these times, every day at Mass we are invited to such an experience in our union with Christ Jesus. We may or may not be using this opportunity and living life concerned with other things we feel are more important.
In the Gospel proclamation, one of the invitees was found to be enjoying the feast without a wedding garment. The garment is symbolic of the righteous deeds that should accompany our faith.
Almsgiving, prayer, fasting and works of mercy as outlined in the Gospel of St. Matthew are the gifts we can bring to the Wedding feast of our Lord Jesus. We need to be spiritually ready to participate at the heavenly banquet.
This tells us that in our spiritual journey we should not have this ‘me and my God syndrome’ but rather while worshipping and loving God our attention must spread to the less fortunate and those in need.
Real spirituality is falling in love with God and not falling asleep but waking up to the reality of suffering in this world. Through prayer God takes away the heart of stone that we are born with and gives us a heart of flesh to reach out to the less fortunate.
I met certain friends and their conversation was about investing in this company and that company and looking for promising opportunities. One friend mentioned that he always has to get his cost back wherever he puts his money.
Another friend who was a Christian, told him: “my brother, I invest in places where they cannot return anything to me and where the left hand does not know what the right hand has done. And then God looks after my needs at the right time. As I invest in heaven, he provides for my needs and takes care of me. He takes care of my needs and not my greed”.
Saint Paul tells us that our God will supply every need of ours according to his riches in glory. The author and maker of the universe is able to provide for us in times of suffering. Let us believe that we can do all things in Christ Jesus who strengthens us.

Prayer: Abba Father, I pray for the grace to reach out to those in need. Amen.