A Man Once Gave A Feast

 "JESUS continued speaking to them in parables:

'This story throws light on the kingdom of heaven.  A king celebrated the wedding of his son. He sent his servants to call the invited guests to the wedding feast, but the guests refused to come. 

Again, he sent other servants ordering them to say to the invited guests:  'I have prepared a banquet, slaughtered my fattened calves and other animals, and now everything is ready; come then to the wedding feast.'  But they paid no attention and went away... While the rest seized the servants of the king, insulted them and killed them.

The king became angry.   He sent his troops to destroy those murderers and burn their city.  Then he said to his servants:  'The wedding banquet is prepared, but the invited guests were not worthy.  Go, then, to the crossroads and invite everyone you find to the wedding feast.'

The servants went out at once into the streets and gathered everyone they found, good and bad alike, so that the hall was filled with guests.

The king came in to see those who were at table, and he noticed a man not wearing the festal garment.  So, he said to him:  'Friend, how did you get in without the wedding garment?'  But the man remained silent.  So, the king said to his servants:  'Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the dark where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

For many are called, but few are chosen." - Matthew 22:1-14  

 

(The parable contains two parts.

 

In the first part, GOD invites us to a banquet where there is a place for everyone.  All through history he has been sending his prophets to preach justice, the mercy of GOD and trust in HIM.  The Jewish nation, however, did not heed GOD's call through these prophets and now will pay even less heed to JESUS.  GOD's plan will not fail.  HE will send HIS apostles to preach the Gospel in foreign nations [go to the exits of the ways] so that non-Jews, too, may enter the Church.  Some Jews, however, the selected few among so many called, will be the first members of the Church.

 

The king celebrates the wedding of his son, CHRIST, who deserves to be called "the bridegroom" of humankind, because HE has become one body with it.  All throughout history the RISEN CHRIST gathers together mortal and divided human beings. The Spirit of GOD will transform and raise them from the dead, so that they may sit at the table of the living, according to the parable.

 

The only table of CHRIST that Christians usually know is the Eucharist.  While taking part in it, we must not forget what has been said above.  Our meeting in the Mass should remind us that GOD calls us to prepare, in our daily lives, for the banquet reserved by HIM for all humankind.  Ours is the task of uniting and reconciling all people.

 

What if we do not answer?  Then, little by little, the life of the holy and universal Church will be withdrawn from our assemblies of comfortable Christians, and others will be called to take charge of the work of GOD:  invite to the wedding.

 

The second part of the parable points this out:  You, Christians, who are already inside the Church, do you wear the new garment - a life of justice, honesty and trustworthiness?

 

Let us not believe that the surprised guest who was not properly dressed for the occasion was some kind of poor person.  No, for it was customary during those times to supply all guests with the robe they should wear at the banquet.  This one could have put on the robe but did not, so he had nothing to answer.

 

Many are called...  Some are disturbed upon reading this:  does it mean that only a few persons will be saved?

 

If we associate this sentence with the first part of the parable, it means that, of those first invited, few will enter the banquet.  These guests were the Jews and very few, indeed, entered the Church of JESUS.  Interpreted in connection with the second part of the parable, it would mean that few of those entering the Church have the necessary dispositions, so the majority would be condemned at the time of judgment.  This contradicts what was related in the parable, because only one of the guests was thrown out.

 

It is better not to associate this saying too much with the parable of the banquet, because we find it also in other places in the Gospel.  Here JESUS advises us that only a few discover through the Gospel true freedom and new life.  Then, are they saved?  Yes and no - because salvation, for JESUS, does not mean to escape from the punishment of hell, but to reach perfection.)

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The Souls Of The Just Are In The Hands Of GOD

 

"The souls of the just are in the hands of GOD and no torment shall touch them.

In the eyes of the unwise they appear to be dead.  Their going is held as a disaster; it seems that they lose everything by departing from us, but they are in peace.

Though seemingly they have been punished, immortality was the soul of their hope.  After slight affliction will come great blessings, for GOD has tried them and found them worthy to be with HIM; after testing them as gold in the furnace, HE has accepted them as a holocaust.

At the time of HIS coming they will shine like sparks that run in the stubble.  They will govern nations and rule over peoples, and the LORD will be their king forever.

Those who trust in HIM will penetrate the truth, those who are faithful will live with HIM in love, for HIS grace and mercy are for HIS chosen ones." - Wisdom 3:1-9 

(The souls of the just are in the hands of GOD.  This is the great revelation in this book.  In the previous books of the Scriptures, the soul only means the breath of a person, that is to say, the life in him which disappears at death.  Now, the soul means the person who does not die when the body does.

Their going is held as a disaster.  Whether the just die in the hands of violent people, or naturally die as we all do, the end of their lives seems to contradict GOD's goodness.  It is a scandal that death can overcome the just.  [We know that the just are those who fulfill the hopes that GOD placed in them.]  It is only the body which dies.  They are alive before GOD as JESUS will also state [Luke 20:38].

But they are in peace.  They will forever enjoy what they hoped for here on earth.  That is to say, we only see one side of death: we shall never know how everyone experienced his departure, even less how he awakened in GOD's world.

At the time of judgment, we will see that the just are the only ones who have been truly alive.  The death of the friends of GOD brings peace to those who were at their side.  Through their death the martyrs bring the triumph of the cause for which they lived.)  

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Blessings And Woes

"Coming down the hill with them, JESUS stood in an open plain.  Many of HIS disciples were there and a large crowd of people who had come from all parts of Judea and Jerusalem, and from the coastal cities of Tyre and Sidon.

Then, looking at HIS disciples, JESUS said,

'Fortunate are you who are poor, for the kingdom of GOD is yours.

Fortunate are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled.

Fortunate are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

Fortunate are you when people hate you, when they reject you and insult you and number you among criminals, because of the Son of Man.  Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven.  Remember, that is how the ancestors of the people treated the prophets.

But alas for you who have wealth, for you have been comforted now.

Alas for you who are full, for you will go hungry.

Alas for you, who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.

Alas for you when people speak well of you, for that is how the ancestors of the people treated the false prophets.'" - Luke 6:17. 20-26  

(Matthew adapts them for the members of the church of his time.  Luke, on the other hand, puts the beatitudes here just as JESUS proclaimed them to the people of Galilee.  In the words of JESUS, the beatitudes were a call and a hope addressed to the forgotten of the world, beginning with the poor among HIS people, heirs of GOD's promise to the prophets.

In contrast with these beatitudes, Luke presents lamentations recalling those of Isaiah [65:13-14].  They are lamentations as used for the dead, not maledictions.  For the rich forget GOD and become impermeable to grace.  These lamentations are a sign of the love of GOD for the rich, as are the beatitudes for the poor, for HE loves them all, but in a different way.  To the first HE affirms that HE will destroy the structures of injustice, and to the others HE gives a warning: richness brings death.)

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The First Places

"One Sabbath JESUS had gone to eat a meal in the house of a leading Pharisee, and HE was carefully watched.

JESUS then told a parable to the guests, for HE had noticed how they tried to take the places of honor.  And HE said, 'When you are invited to a wedding party, do not choose the best seat.  It may happen that someone more important than you has been invited, and your host, who invited both of you, will come and say to you:  Please give this person your place.'  What shame is yours when you take the lowest seat!

Whenever you are invited, go rather to the lowest seat, so that your host may come and say to you: 'Friend, you must come up higher.'  And this will be a great honor for you in the presence of all other guests.  For whoever makes himself out to be great will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." - Luke 14:1. 7-11  

(Here JESUS develops a biblical proverb inviting us to be modest in social gatherings.  Such behavior befits GOD's children.  Whatever the area of human activity may be, we should let others seek the first place, while stepping on other people as they do so.  We know that what matters is not what is seen:  GOD knows how to exalt the humble and place them where it best suits HIM. 

 

Moreover, when we go from the earthly church to the Kingdom of heaven, there will be changes in who occupies the first places.  Someone who was pope, or bishop or a prominent "Catholic" may count less than the little old lady who was selling newspapers.

Every one of us seeks to be near those who are above us, since we think we benefit more from being connected with those who are superior than with those who are inferior.

JESUS' warning points to one of the main causes of injustice.  We all share in the guilt when we decide with whom it is more beneficial to be associated; consequently, everyone tries to climb higher, always leaving the weakest in the most isolated and helpless position. 

It would be a strange sight to see public officials pay more attention to the poorly dressed, or to see the poorest areas supplied with water and power before the residential districts, or to see doctors go to the rural areas to practice.)

  

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Knowledge And Discernment

 "From Paul and Timothy, servants of CHRIST JESUS, to the saints in Philippi, with their bishops and deacons;

to you all in CHRIST JESUS:

May grace and peace be yours from GOD, our FATHER, and CHRIST JESUS the LORD.

I give thanks to my GOD, each time I remember you and when I pray for you, I pray with joy.  I cannot forget all you shared with me in the service of the gospel, from the first day, until now.  Since GOD began such a good work, in you, I am certain, that HE will complete it in the day of CHRIST JESUS.

This is my hope for you, for I carry you all, in my heart: whether I am in prison, or defending and confirming the gospel, you are with me and share the same grace.

GOD knows that I love you dearly, with the love of CHRIST JESUS, and in my prayers, I ask that your love may lead you, each day, to a deeper knowledge and clearer discernment, that you may have good criteria for everything.  So you may be pure of heart, and come, blameless, to the day of CHRIST, filled with the fruit of holiness, that comes through CHRIST JESUS, for the glory and praise of GOD." - Philippians 1:1-11  

(With their bishops and deacons.  In Acts we saw how the apostles used to establish a community, a church, in every city where they proclaimed the Gospel.  They did not leave without having established a council of leaders, called presbyters, or elders, according to Jewish custom.  After a few years bishops, or supervisors, stood out: they may have been the leading members of the council of presbyters.  They were not then like today's bishops.

As to the deacons, they were in charge of various services in the community.  And may have done missionary work in areas that did not yet have a community.

GOD began such a good work in you, I am certain that HE will complete it in the day of CHRIST JESUS.  The end for which they long are always the manifestation [2 Thessalonians 1:7], or the visit, or the Day of the LORD JESUS [1 Corinthians 1:8].  No work is done without the expectation of the day when there will be all that one dreamed about.  There is no Christian life where someone is content with looking forward to his retirement or feels fulfilled because he has a country house or because the family is growing up without a problem.  Let us stop saying these fist Christians still had the "illusion" of an early return of CHRIST.  They wanted to meet HIM personally and be transfigured by HIM.  That is an illusion only for those who enclose themselves in oases of peace within a world in crisis. 

Knowledge and discernment...  A good heart and generosity are not everything in Christian life.  We are not saved, we do not reach our true stature, we are not remade as GOD would like us to be, unless clarity has guided generosity.  It is the same for world salvation.  GOD calls us to discover new ways.  We need to reflect, to be attentive, what we could call "revision of life," in order to discover what is positive and negative in our daily life, work relationships, social duties, leisure.  This reflection, however, is not sufficient: among GOD's gifts, there is spiritual knowledge that gives us a fresh vision of the order of values and of the will of GOD.)

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Be Strong In The LORD

"Finally, be strong in the LORD, with HIS energy and strength.  Put on the whole armor of GOD, to be able to resist the cunning of the devil.  Our battle is not against human forces, but against the rulers and authorities and their dark powers, that govern this world.  We are struggling against the spirits and supernatural forces of evil.

Therefore, put on the whole armor of GOD, that, in the evil day, you may resist, and stand your ground, making use of all your weapons.  Take truth as your belt, justice as your breastplate, and zeal as your shoes, to propagate the gospel of peace.  Always hold in your hand, the shield of faith, to repel the flaming arrows of the devil.  Finally, use the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, that is, the word of GOD.

Pray at all times, as the Spirit inspires you.  Keep watch, together with sustained prayer and supplication for all the holy ones.  Pray, also, for me, so that when I speak, I may be given words, to proclaim bravely, the mystery of the gospel.  Even when in chains, I am an ambassador of GOD; may HE give me the strength to speak as I should." - Ephesians 6:10-20   

(Paul has said what he had to say.  What does his invitation to be strong mean, when he takes his examples from military life?  Is it because he feels the Christians of Ephesus are not sufficiently strong.  Paul invites them, without saying it, to compare their situation with his.  Free or slaves, most of them were people of modest means of the cities near Ephesus.  Subjected for a long time to the Roman Empire that imposed peace on them, they were free of serious problems.  They were not rich, but they were able to content themselves with little.  Under a Mediterranean sky they had abundant light and a friendly, natural environment.  They found the faith at a time when it cost them little; what would they do the day the Empire became an obstacle and when suddenly they would be classed a bad lot, responsible for all that was wrong?

This is why Paul warns them: peace is only provisional, for the demon is waiting for his hour.  Paul asks them to persevere in prayer: the only effective arms against evil are those that CHRIST has left us: truth, faith, the word of GOD... and if they believe they have found salvation, let them exert themselves to evangelize others.)

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The Twelve Apostles

"At this time JESUS went out into the hills to pray, spending the whole night in prayer with GOD.  When day came, HE called HIS disciples to HIM and chose twelve of them whom HE called apostles: Simon, whom HE named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; Matthew and Thomas; James, son of Alpheus, and Simon called the Zealot; Judas, son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who would be the traitor." - Luke 6:12-16  

(JESUS keeps those whom HE loves the most in HIS prayer.  The success of HIS mission will depend upon them; other people's faith will rest on them.  JESUS does not want their call to be HIS own will: before calling them, HE wants to be certain that HE is doing the FATHER's will.  For the simple reason that CHRIST chose them and entrusted HIS Church to them, they will be tested in a thousand ways.  Therefore, JESUS wants to safeguard them through the power of HIS prayer.  The day before HIS death HE will have the consolation that not one of those the FATHER gave HIM has been lost [John 17:12].)

 

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The Mustard Seed And The Yeast

"JESUS offered them another parable: 'The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field.

It is smaller than all other seeds, but once it is fully grown, it is bigger than any garden plant; like a tree, the birds came and rest in its branches.'

HE told them another parable, 'The kingdom of heaven is like the yeast that a woman took, and hid in three measures of flour, until the whole mass of dough began to rise.'

JESUS taught all these things to the crowds by means of parables; HE did not say anything to them without using a parable.  This fulfilled what was spoken by the Prophet: I will speak in parables, I will proclaim things kept secret since the beginning of the world." - Matthew 13:31-35  

(With the parable of the mustard seed JESUS shows us that the kingdom of GOD must be a sign; it has to be something very noticeable in the world.

Any spiritual aspiration, cultural innovation or revolutionary movement must be expressed concretely, through one or several institutions, to make it a clearer and more visible entity.  Likewise, JESUS projects HIS Church as the bearer [not the owner] of the kingdom of GOD.  Church means: 'Assembly of those called together.'  Two of the characteristics of this Church are indicated here:

- first, it must be very visible and fruitful for the world, like a tree giving shade to birds;

- secondly, it must be immersed in human reality.

Believers are not to separate themselves from those who do not believe, for they the yeast of the world.

JESUS does not want an "invisible Church," that is an emotional fellowship and spiritual communion among all those in the whole world who believe in HIM.  HE wants a gigantic tree [in another place JESUS says: a city built on a hill], so that everyone can recognize that the seed was good and full of life.  We need organized Christian communities, a hierarchy...  Nevertheless, the believers are not to enclose themselves in their chapels or little communities or to spend all their energies working for "their" Church.  They must be useful and fruitful in the world together with all people of goodwill.

Let them be yeast for the dough, not small separate and finer dough.  The yeast transforms human history, not by bringing all people into the Church, but by infusing into human activity the spirit that gives life to humankind.)

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The Healing On A Sabbath Day

"JESUS was teaching in a synagogue on the Sabbath and a crippled woman was there.  An evil spirit had kept her bent for eighteen years so that she could not straighten up at all.  On seeing her, JESUS called her and said, 'Woman you are freed from your infirmity.'  Then HE laid HIS hands upon her and immediately she was made straight and praised GOD. 

But the ruler of the synagogue was indignant because JESUS had performed this healing on the Sabbath day and he said to the people, 'There are six days in which to work; come on those days to be healed and not on the Sabbath!'

But the LORD replied, 'You hypocrites!  Every one of you unties his ox or his donkey on the Sabbath and leads it out of the barn to give it water.  And here you have a daughter of Abraham whom Satan had bound for eighteen years.  Should she not be freed from her bonds on the Sabbath?'

When JESUS said this, all HIS opponents felt ashamed.  But the people rejoiced at the many wonders that happened through HIM." - Luke 13:10-17  

(The word untie was used by the Jews to express that someone's sin or penalty was cancelled.  It also meant freeing an animal from its yoke.  JESUS frees the human person and invites us to follow HIS example.

 

We should not be surprised at the indignation of the chief of the synagogue. Since he had never been able to help his sick sister, he must have felt discredited by JESUS' move.  Would it not be the same with us?  It never occurred to JESUS to ask the authorities for permission to save people.)

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The Gospel We Brought You Was Such Not Only In Words

"The gospel we brought you was such, not only in words.  Miracles, the Holy Spirit, and plenty of everything, were given to you.  You, also, know how we dealt with you, for your sake.

In return, you became followers of us, and of the LORD, when, on receiving the word, you experienced the joy of the Holy Spirit, in the midst of great opposition.  And you became a model for the faithful of Macedonia and Achaia, since, from you, the word of the LORD spread to Macedonia and Achaia, and still farther.  The faith you have in GOD has become news in so many places, that we need say no more about it.  Others tell, of how you welcomed us, and turned from idols to the LORD.  For you serve the living and true GOD, and you wait for HIS Son, from heaven, whom HE raised from the dead, JESUS, who frees us from impending trial." - 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10  

(Faith, endurance, love.  For us, sometimes hope [or: endurance] goes unnoticed between faith and love.  For Paul it has two important meanings:

- Those who hope bear trials and persecutions with patience and perseverance.  That is why Paul speaks of faith, perseverance and love.  As we know from the Gospel, hope is not an easy optimism; it is the capacity to endure when faced with trials.

-  The person with hope looks forward to the glorious coming of CHRIST who will judge this world and take us to the next one.  HE frees us from impending trial.  In those years, all believers were convinced that judgment was imminent and that they would witness CHRIST's coming.

The gospel we brought you was such not only in words.  There were many signs, miracles, and other manifestations in Thessalonica.  Perhaps GOD increased the signs in view of the coming persecution; since very soon there would not be many with adequate formation to orient the community.  In fact the Gospel cannot be proclaimed without GOD doing something to confirm it [Mark 16:17].  JESUS criticized those who came to HIM to see miracles, but HE performed miracles throughout HIS ministry.  Let us not say: "I do not need miracles to believe."  Human beings as we are, we will have quite a different enthusiasm if we see that GOD is beside us, doing the incredible to confirm HIS word.)

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