Sunday, October 11, 2026: 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14

Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and elders of the people in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast but they refused to come. A second time he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast.’” Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. Go out, therefore, into the main roads, and invite to the feast whomever you find.’ The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to meet the guests, he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. The king said to him, ‘My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?’ But he was reduced to silence. Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’ Many are invited, but few are chosen.”

Reflection

This parable is a bit daunting. How could the King be so vindictive as to throw out the man who refused to wear the wedding garment?

Weddings, however, are such joy-filled events! I recently attended our niece’s wedding in Greystones, Ireland. I know my brother, the bride’s father, sacrificed much to give his daughter such an exquisite and beautiful wedding. Reflecting on that experience, and with some help from Loyola Press, I found something new to ponder:

If Jesus has prepared an exquisite banquet, am I humble enough to accept the invitation?

Can I humble myself each morning by acknowledging His generosity, His grace, and His love for me? Do I have the courage and determination – whatever it takes – to receive it all?

Would I have put on the wedding garment and shown up for the King’s wedding banquet?

Take a few minutes and ask yourself: Do I assume I would have attended? The chief priests whom Jesus was addressing assumed they would.

So I ask myself: Do I really listen to the inner voice – the whispers of the Holy Spirit – knowing that I have been invited to a magnificent banquet called grace?

Jesus wants our wholehearted “yes.” Yes, I will attend. Yes, I will receive His invitation with gratitude. Yes, I will come to the banquet.

Action

Select one of the questions from above and spend a little time reflecting during a walk or an open time with your journal. What surprises you as you move through the question?