DAILY- HOMILY

OCTOBER 9, 2011
28TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – A

Is 25:6-10 / Ps 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6 / Phil 4:12-14, 19-20 / Mt 22:1-14
or 22:1-10

ISAIAH 25:6-10
On this mountain Yahweh Sabaoth will prepare for all peoples a feast
of rich food and choice wines, meat full of marrow, fine wine
strained. On this mountain he will destroy the pall cast over all
peoples, this very shroud spread over all nations, and death will be
no more. The Lord Yahweh will wipe away the tears from all cheeks and
eyes; he will take away the humiliation of his people all over the
world: for Yahweh has spoken. On that day you will say: This is our
God. We have waited for him to save us, let us be glad and rejoice in
his salvation. For on this mountain the hand of Yahweh rests. Moab
instead will be trodden down, as straw trodden down on a dunghill.

PHILIPPIANS 4:12-14, 19-20
Brothers and sisters, I know what it is to be in want and what it is
to have plenty. I am trained for both: to be hungry or satisfied, to
have much or little. I can do all things in him who strengthens me.
However you did right in sharing my trials. God himself will provide
you with everything you need, according to his riches, and show you
his generosity in Christ Jesus. Glory to God, our Father, forever and
ever: Amen.

MATTHEW 22:1-14
Jesus went on speaking to the chief priests and elders in parables:
"This story throws light on the kingdom of heaven. A king celebrated
the wedding of his son. He sent his servants to call the invited
guests to the wedding feast, but the guests refused to come. "Again he
sent other servants ordering them to say to the invited guests: `I
have prepared a banquet, slaughtered my fattened calves and other
animals, and now everything is ready; come then, to the wedding
feast.' But they paid no attention and went away, some to their
fields, and others to their work. While the rest seized the servants
of the king, insulted them and killed them. "The king became angry. He
sent his troops to destroy those murderers and burn their city. Then
he said to his servants: `The wedding banquet is prepared, but the
invited guests were not worthy. Go, then, to the crossroads and invite
everyone you find to the wedding feast.' "The servants went out at
once into the streets and gathered everyone they found, good and bad
alike, so that the hall was filled with guests. The king came in to
see those who were at table, and he noticed a man not wearing the
festal garment. So he said to him: `Friend, how did you get in without
the wedding garment?' But the man remained silent. So the king said to
his servants: `Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the dark
where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.'"

REFLECTION
If there is any single word that we would like to describe our lives,
it is the word "balanced." After all we live in a very stressful world
that seeks competitively our energies and attention. We live in
creative tensions trying to balance our various commitments to our
families, work, personal time and hobbies, and God. Though we tend to
overdo one over the others, there is the constant struggle to make
sure that somehow, we end up generally healthy and happy with
ourselves, others and God. But reflecting more deeply on these
competing commitments in life is the underlying struggle that we have
to contend with. It may simply be put in this manner: Do I HAVE TO or
do I WANT TO? Is my decision based on duty or free choice?

It is almost impossible to deny that we always have to face scenarios
in life when we feel like having to or wanting to do this thing or
not, having to or wanting to at tend this celebration or not, having
to or wanting to buy this or not.

In the parable of the wedding feast, which is a depiction of the
kingdom of God, the king is all out for the grand celebration of the
wedding of his son. He invites all the VIPs who unfortunately excuse
themselves for seemingly legitimate reasons. However, one has to
consider that this banquet is different from all other banquets. The
king, who represents God, takes the initiative as always to invite.
God has chosen a particular people and has established a covenant with
them, but they were unfaithful and so, others like us have been called
to become God's people.

With this invitation, do we have to or want to go? Each had his/her
own excuses in having to skip this important occasion. But this time,
there is no reason to miss out for it is God who is inviting us to
this great celebration. There are no more important reasons for not
accepting this invitation. How do we find this call? Is it a
privilege, a blessing or a troublesome burden in that it conflicts
with our other preoccupations? In other words, how well have we
received the message of the Lord? There is no denying that we will
always find time for anything or anyone whom we find important no
matter how these may be seemingly trivial for others like wanting to
rest or simply watching sports on television instead of joining a
particular celebration. Yet this invitation is really special and so
if we seriously think about it, how can we reject it when our deepest
desire is to eventually be in the company of God? Do we then have to
or want to respond to the invitation of God to celebrate with Him?
Just make sure that we make the right and correct choice.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of:
- Ely Lara
- Rita P. Cuerva
- Eden Batuto
… for the personal intentions of
- Titong V
- Veronica Yap
… for the eternal repose of the soul of Sr. Luisa Tan, MIC. Eternal
rest grant unto her and may perpetual light shine upon her. May she
and all the dearly departed rest in peace.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Sy Sang Yao
- Birthday: Ellery S. Lim
- Birthday: Maria Germana Chua
- Birthday: Irene Dee
- Birthday: Kelly Lim Bate
- Birthday: Cora Chiong
- Wedding Anniversary: Arbot & Linda Buenafe
- Thanksgiving: Atabug Family
- In Memoriam (+): Teresa Sia Go
… for families who are in need of healing
… for world peace and reconciliation.

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers
and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

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