12th October 2008
When a couple decide to marry it is always an occasion of great joy and happiness. It can also be a very stressful time especially when they sit down with their families and make out the list of who will be invited to the wedding and who will not. No matter what we think about weddings we are generally happy to get an invitation to one, and disappointed if we are left out. It is scant consolation to get a verbal or even written invitation to the 'afters'.
In the gospel reading today we hear about a king who invites people to his son's wedding. But they choose not to go. Next he invites others from the highways and byways to fill the wedding hall. One poor unfortunate does not have a proper wedding garment and he is flung out. The image of the garment is important for the wedding. It is not the clothes as such but the attitude of one who has repented, without this turning around they will not share in the wedding banquet.
This parable speaks very much to our time. All of us through our baptism are preparing for the Kingdom of God when together we will sit down with God for all eternity. However that destiny is not automatic, we have to work hard to attain it. Salvation is not assured for any of us. The wedding garment that we need to have is a life that is lived to the best of our ability, a life in which we clothe ourselves with humility and kindness, a life in which we wait daily for what God is saying to us. This week throughout the Diocese surveys are taking place about the numbers going to Mass. Look around the Church here and see the empty seats. Unlike a wedding there is a general invitation and many are choosing not to take up the invitation. As the gospel ends many are indeed called, but few are chosen. Indeed the Kingdom will be taken from us if we are not careful and given to another people who will be found worthy of it.
So what can we do? Can we be our brother's or our sister's keeper? In today's world, probably not. However we can continue to show them the way by the words we speak and by the manner in which we live our lives. Amen.
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Homilies Archive
2009 HOMILIES
25th December 2008
Christmas
21st December 2008
14th December 2008
8th December 2008
Immaculate Conception
7th December 2008
2nd Sunday of Advent
30th November 2008
1st Sunday of Advent
23rd November 2008
Christ the King
16th November 2008
2nd November 2008
All Souls
1st November 2008
All Saints
26th October 2008
12th October 2008
5th October 2008
28th September 2008
21st September 2008
14th September 2008
7th September 2008
31st August 2008
24th August 2008
17th August 2008
15th August 2008
Assumption
10th August 2008
3rd August 2008
20th July 2008
13th July 2008
29th June 2008
22nd June 2008
1st June 2008
23rd March 2008
Easter Sunday
22nd March 2008
Easter Vigil
2nd March 2008
24th February 2008
17th February 2008
10th February 2008
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