23 Aug
Thu 		20th Week in Ordinary Time
Jdg. 11:29-39a
Ps. 40:4, 6-9
Mt. 22:1-14
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The metaphor of the kingdom of heaven continues. Today it is likened to the wedding feast of the king's son. The persistent invitation extended by the king to his guests is met with apathy and outright rejection. Finally, the king turns from his invited guest list to everyone.

God the King of our story, invites all to the feast, a symbol of joy and life. This invitation is a free gift, an invitation of grace. Those who had been invited to the wedding feast had no claim on the king at all; in fact, still less could they ever have deserved it. Persons who feel that salvation is reserved for a select few (usually by virtue of their religious affiliation), as if of some divine right, are in for a rude surprise. The wedding feast has been opened to all. This highlights the immeasurable open-hearted generosity and hospitality of the king. Yet, the king's invitation must not be misconstrued as a universal blank cheque.

The other lesson of the parable is that the invitation of grace is not only a gift; it is also a grave responsibility. We must not be misled to think that the universal plan of God to save all will lessen the gravity of our personal responsibility to respond in faith. Salvation can only take place when the invitation of God is accepted in faith that leads to conversion and transformation.


Heavenly Father, help us to heed and respond to Your invitation to share in the fullness of life and joy of the kingdom which You have promised all people.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
The awareness that only God is the master of human life may orientate the decisions of the legislators and leaders of nations
Elaboration

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P R A Y I N G    W I T H    T H E    C H U R C H    

INTENTION : The awareness that only God is the master of human life may orientate the decisions of the legislators and leaders of nations

Evidence shows with increasing clarity how policies and laws opposed to life are causing societies to decline morally, demographically and economically. The encyclical Evangelium Vitae makes the urgent appeal "that we offer this world of ours new signs of hope, and work to ensure that justice and solidarity will increase and that a new culture of human life will be affirmed, for the building of an authentic civilisation of truth and love".

Thus there is no reason for a defeatist mentality which claims that laws opposed to the right of life are inevitable. On the contrary, they are a seed of corruption for society and its foundations. The civil and moral conscience cannot accept this false inevitability. The relationship between the civil and moral law deserves great attention because of the growing importance they are destined to have in the restoration of social life.

Lawmakers are asked to renew their commitment to change unjust laws that legitimise or tolerate such violence. The changing of laws must be preceded and accompanied by the changing of mentalities and morals on a vast scale. The Church cannot spare any effort nor can she accept negligence or guilty silence.



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