Daily Gospel Reflection for August 18, 2022

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14

Today’s Gospel offers comfort but also poses challenges. Speaking to those before Him in parables, Jesus proffers the story of a king who has planned a lavish wedding feast for his son. The invited guests not only refuse to come, but some of them even have the audacity to kill the king’s servants who have come bearing the invitation. So others, some good and some bad, are invited and do choose to attend. But one of these opts to show up in inappropriate garb and as a result is vanquished by the king. Jesus ends the parable with the ominous words, “Many are invited, but few are chosen.”

This is one of those parables that always has me ask myself, “Which guest am I?”

Am I among the initially invited, called by God the father to the “banquet” He has offered for His son, Jesus?

Am I among the second crowd, offered a merciful chance to know the fullness of God’s love?

Am I the ungrateful guest who accepted the invitation but didn’t make much effort to fully accept it with graciousness and appreciation?

Every day, in many ways, we are “invited” by God to know and share His love. While we are reminded by this parable that the invitation into this intimate bond is extended to all, it’s also good to remember that the invitation is also a mission. Uniquely “called and chosen” by God, we are also sent into a world greatly in need of God’s love. The fruit we bear as we live out our calling is significant not because it separates us from those we may see as less worthy, but because it’s the very purpose for our calling.

Ponder:

How will I respond to God’s invitation today to not only attend the banquet of His love but also to extend that invitation to others?

Pray:

Thank you, Father and King of Kings, for the sacred invitation to know, live and share Your love. I am Yours.

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Uniquely “called and chosen” by God, we are also sent into a world greatly in need of God’s love. #dailygospel

Copyright 2022 Lisa M. Hendey