Thursday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time. Year II (St Bernard, Abbot, Dr.)
Ezek.36:23-28; Ps.50; Matt.22:1-14
We may look at the gospel reading of today, roll our eyes and say “What was wrong with that crowd? Who rejects an invitation for the King Son’s wedding?” Wait a moment! If you were to get a special invitation to attend the wedding of the son of the Oba of Benin, I’m sure you wouldn’t miss the opportunity for the world. But how come we don’t pay that much attention to the invitation we get directly from God? There are those who regard Church, worship, Mass… with the utmost suspicion and disdain.
Friends, those who turned down the King’s invitation in today’s Gospel reading had their invitations withdrawn, and due punishment administered. Even the man that accepted the invitation and came dressed without the right garment was thrown out into the outer darkness. St Bernard of Claivaux, though often in poor health, responded to God’s invitation without excuses. He fought hard against clerical vanity and wealth, some of our commonest distractions from responding to God’s invitation. His faith was unshakable, and his devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, unrivaled. No wonder, he was found worthy of Heaven. Can we do the same?
Prayer
Father in Heaven, may you enlighten our minds and hearts, that we may come to know our purpose, and that knowing it, we may strive with the help of your grace to do it, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
God bless your day ahead. St. Bernard, pray for us!
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