Daily Gospel Reflection
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October 11, 2020
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.”
“Many are invited, but few are chosen.” Theologically and historically speaking, the concluding verse from today’s gospel is definitely a bit of heavy lifting. Perhaps written around the fall of Jerusalem and full of the allegory of salvation, many a well-learned theologian has analyzed this verse better than I ever could.
As a husband serving a wife that joined the Catholic church through RCIA and a parent of 2 young girls that at times demonstrate deeper empathy and grace than myself, I would like to offer a modern lay reflection of this famous verse – and in particular during this year – the infamous “year of 2020.”
According to the Pew Research Center, the percentage of adults who identify as Christian has dropped from 77% to 65% over the last decade alone. Additionally, the pace of change in today’s world seems to be accelerating, especially as it relates to technology. We are bombarded by distractions from an early age, whether it be devices, streaming services, video games, or all of the above.
Additionally, for all the struggles that 2020 has brought the world, I believe that this year has given us a unique chance to pause and reflect upon what is really important in our lives. In particular, it has offered many of us a chance to focus on the more important things in life like God, family, and my favorite bible verse: Matthew 7:12 (“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets.”) I think this year has given and will continue to give us a unique chance to accept the beautiful invitation that God has given us, and we would be smart to take advantage.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, you have sent prophets, apostles, and your only begotten Son to proclaim the coming of your Kingdom. We have often hardened our hearts, refusing to heed your countless invitations. We have mistreated your servants, and, by our sins, we are guilty of nailing your Son to the cross. In your loving mercy, forgive our sins. Give us grace to maintain the purity of our baptism and to faithfully live out our baptismal vocation to a life of holiness so that we may one day share in the banquet of your kingdom, where you live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
Saint of the Day
St. Philip the Deacon was one of the first seven deacons appointed by the twelve Apostles in the book of Acts. Philip is also known as "Philip the Evangelist," due to his prodigious preaching career in Jerusalem. After Stephen's martyrdom, the deacons spread out from Jerusalem throughout Palestine.
Philip was sent to Samaria, where he stayed, spreading the message of Resurrection to the Samaritans until an angel commanded him to go south towards Gaza. There, on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza, Philip encountered an Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-40). The eunuch was a devout follower of the Jewish religion, and was studying the prophets, but he was unable to interpret their meaning. Philip taught him the meaning of Isaiah's Suffering Servant canticle, telling him the story of Christ's Death and Resurrection. The eunuch immediately asked to be baptized.
After this story, Philip's activities are no longer mentioned in the Sacred Scriptures. But ancient Christian tradition holds that Philip retired to Anatolia and served there as a bishop, where he died a peaceful death.
St. Philip the Deacon, who broke open God's word to the Eunuch—pray for us!
Image Credit: The icon of Philip appears courtesy of Ann Chapin. Modified from the original.