Homily For The 28th Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year A.

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Isaiah 25:6-10; Psalm 23:1-6; Philippians 4:12-14.19-20; Matthew 22:1-14.

“SALVATION FOR ALL!”

By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide.

·       The reading of this Sunday demonstrates the original intentions of God. This intention is that all be saved. All of us, regardless of social class or race, have been invited to the eternal banquet of God.

·       In the gospel reading (Matthew 22:1-14), the kingdom of God is portrayed as a wedding banquet, but this time an eternal wedding banquet which God has prepared for all who faithfully serve him in this world.

·       This wedding banquet was initially supposed to be a VIP wedding with a special “gate pass” and broad-chested men manning the gate to screen all the guests. It was like our own “who is who” wedding. Probably conducted at one of the big cathedrals of his world. With special dress codes and designated tables for guests.

·       Unfortunately, the supposed VIP guests were unserious and lackadaisical about the invitation extended to them and gave flimsy excuses for why they could not attend the wedding banquet. Their refusal to attend became an opportunity for the wedding gate to be thrown open for “all” people.

·       Friends in Christ, the refusal of others to honour the invitation of God to the wedding has become a great opportunity for you and me to be saved. God has invited you and me to the eternal banquet of heaven where all his sons and daughters who have faithfully served in this world will be rewarded. What was reserved for a few has now been offered to all.

·       We also noticed that even though the wedding banquet later became an open invitation, the king came looking at each guest only to discover the one not properly dressed for the banquet, and he was bound hand and foot and thrown out into the dark.

·       One would ask what the king expects of those who were hurriedly invited from the roadside and rushed into the wedding hall just to have a full house; how can he expect them to be properly dressed? The dress that the King expects his guests to put on for the feast is the garment of righteousness. That is what guarantees us a place at the wedding banquet. Righteousness is our VIP gate pass to the feast.

·       On this day, we must ask ourselves if we are properly dressed for the eternal banquet of heaven. Is my heart and way of life as beautiful as I am dressed today? If it is not, it is not too late to make good preparations now. One thing is sure: there is a party, but whether you will be allowed in is up to you and your preparations now.

·       Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, beyond the wedding banquet, what God promises to us is indeed very great. It is a full package of a life of bliss and peace. We must strive as much as we can not to miss out on those opportunities.

·       In the first reading (Isaiah 25:6-10), the prophet Isaiah tells us how beautiful and marvellous what the Lord has prepared for us. When we gather on the mountain of the Lord on the last day, he will remove the morning veil of pain and sorrow covering our faces, and we will enjoy a banquet of rich food. One thing is also guaranteed, which is that death will be no more because we shall be enjoying the eternal presence of God.

·       St. Paul in the second reading (Philippians 4:12-14.19-20) throws a word of caution to us that while we are striving for our place in the eternal presence of God, we must brace up for hardship and trials. There will be a time we will go hungry; there will be a time we will be persecuted; there will be a time we will be called names, etc. But when that time comes, we must pray for strength from God not to give up.

·       Friends in Christ, no matter what, we must not allow anything to deprive us of participating in this banquet of God to which we have all been invited. We must put on our wedding garment of righteousness at all times because we do not know the hour and the time the Lord will come calling for us. And only those who are fully dressed and prepared can sing like the Psalmist: “In the Lord's own house shall I dwell forever and ever” (Ps. 23:6).

·       May the good Lord bless his word in our hearts through Christ our Lord, Amen!

·        Happy Sunday!!!


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