Isaiah 25.6-10・Ps. 23.2+3, 5, 6・ Philippians 4.12-14, 19-20・Matthew 22:1-14
Complacent and Dedicated Christians
A Journey to the Kingdom of God
We have again today readings from the Bible explaining to us what the Kingdom of Heaven is. The Kingdom of Heaven is often explained as a contradiction to a condition in which, and a place where people are tied up in many concerns and anxieties about things which cannot guarantee real fulfillment and happiness. So in today`s readings, we are reminded that God has wonderful things prepared for all of us. These wonderful things must be far beyond what the world can give. Simply. God`s invitation is to come and listen to Him for us to better know what things and life`s ways can guarantee us to real fulfillment and happiness. The invitation is to be worthy recipient of what is in store for us -
The Kingdom of Heaven is described as a wedding banquet. We are all invited to take part to this wedding feast. As we all take part to this wedding feast, we celebrate holy life with all other people who respond to the same invitation of living a holy life.
In the modern society at large, it may seem that many people show little interest on Christian living and some others may seem to be just indifferent. However, we understand God`s invitation as an “open invitation.” In our gospel reading, the King then eventually extends the invitation for everyone.
We have what we call, a Church!
Our Church is, and will always be consisting of people who are truly dedicated Christians and of people who are complacent in Christian living. Some of us may wonder and ask who among us in the Church are living like Saints, and who are living always in the state of sin. We do not however spend much of our time indulging to whoever among us are saints or sinners! There will always be constant temptations to create first- and second-class membership in the Church such as formation of elite groups and well―educated and well―mannered groups (dedicated Christians ?). The more important thing for each one of us, as members of the Catholic Church, is to always be inclusive in order to preserve the universal nature of God`s call (invitation) to Holiness. While God`s invitation to the Kingdom of Heaven is an “open invitation,” transformation is always expected for all who put interest in it.
Our church in this modern world undoubtedly is a place where we can spend time in prayer and reflect about the wonderful things He has prepared for us, more than we can materially acquire in this world. Our Church is also a place where we can share with others our joy and hopes, as well as pains, griefs and anxieties we somehow experience daily in following a life in Christ. The Church always call each one closer to Her (the Church`s) heart. The Church is where the grace of God overflows and is where miracles happen, already including the possibility of each one to be transformed.
We, the Church, therefore, cannot deny anyone of transformation truly possible to happen inside the Church. There is always an urgency to quickly reopen our doors because God`s invitation is already due. There may still be people who are not interested in entering the reopened door but we always hope that no one is left behind when we enter into His Kingdom. After all, the Church spearheads each one`s transformation to be worthy of life in the Kingdom of Heaven.