28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Our readings for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time are:

1. Isaiah 25: 6-10a
2. Psalms 23: 1-3a,3b-4, 5, 6
3. Philippians 4: 12-14, 19-20
4. Matthew 22: 1-14

• The riches of God's love
• God is generous, maybe not in the ways that we expect, but He is never stingy.  So it would seem that we, His servants, would learn generosity from Him as well.  Yet there is so much need all around us.
• In days gone by, the Catholic Church built orphanages, hospitals, schools, and churches.  Each of those contributed to the betterment of their respective communities.  What's happened since?
• Are we still called to that same sort of generosity?
• What can we learn from that past and apply to today?
• What might we have to do differently today in order to be generously holy and holy in our generosity? 

• The valley of the shadow
• Frightening events come to just about all of us.  Its easy to let fear blind us to what we know to be true about our God, His care for us, even forget times in the past when He has proven Himself to be faithful and merciful.
• When you are fearful of some outcome, what do you do?
• If you answered "pray", how do you pray in those circumstances?
• What do you really expect God to do to/for you?
• When you look back over your life, does that fill you with trust, or uncertainty?
• Why? 

• Holy indifference
• Our deepest desires come from God.  The world that we live in, however, manipulates us with other desires, ones that are not deep, not from God.  Our challenge is to sift our desires, and use those deep desires to help us find God's will in our lives.  Ignatius terms this openness to whatever God intends for us: "indifference".  It's not despairing of ever getting what we want, but finding the freedom to seek what God has planted deep within.
• Have you ever wanted something really strongly.  You thought that you just could not "live" without that?
• Did you pray for it?
• What happened in that prayer?
• If you eventually received that object of your desire, how did that make you feel?
• How long did that feeling last?
• What can you learn from that? 

• Desiring transformation
• I'm told that in Jesus' day, a wealthy host would provide his guests a festive outer garment when they arrived.  To refuse to wear such a garment would be seen as a rejection of the host's hospitality and generosity, and ultimately a rejection of the host themselves.  One reading of the wedding garment is that to wear it bears witness to an internal transformation on our part as we accept God's graces.
• Sometimes the truths that we sing of may be just a bit outside of our own experience to date.  Is it authentic on our part to sing those lyrics anyway?
• Is there room for us, as ministers, to grow into an attitude, belief, and actions even as we call upon our gathered assembly to do the same?
• How can we be sure that we're doing more than just mouthing the words, making the music?
• Do you think that anyone can tell?
• What can we do so that we are always growing in grace, and be true leaders? 

• Preparation for Reconciliation
• Where could I bring more justice to those that I care for, that I care about?
• Am I trusting God with my fears?
• Do I deliberately discern, or do I just react?
• Where might God be calling me be a better, more authentic leader?

The Garment

 

The wedding invitation arrived.

Recognizing the seal, I tore it open eagerly.

I was not disappointed, I had been chosen.

Chosen to celebrate a most momentous occasion.

 

I presumed it was in recognition of my steady service.

That I had been called to this celebration in appreciation.

That I was finally getting recognized for my generosity -

Of time, talent, and treasure all these years.

 

The day of, I bathed, trimmed and oiled by beard.

Donned my best robs and sandals.

Hired a liter to bear me there in discrete splendor.

And arrived right on time.

 

The doorkeeper greeted me warmly,

Handing me a garment to wear over my robes.

I gazed at it closely.

And saw that it was not nearly as fine as what I had on.

 

I asked the doorkeeper whether this was truly necessary.

After all, if the host was looking for festive, I had that in spades.

The doorman could only tell me it was required.

He did not have anything else to share.

 

I thought this a horrible idea.

I put on the proffered garment with a grumble.

Then slipped into the hall and quickly took it off.

Throwing it into a corner hoping it would not be found.

 

After all, I am special, I am important.

Hiding all of that under someone else's clothes seemed a shame.

I had earned the right to wear whatever I wished.

I had worked hard to afford my own clothing.

 

I soon found myself surrounded by people of all sorts.

Some I recognized from my other doings.

Most were strangers to me, a rangy lot overall.

Not the sort that I would normally associate with.

 

All the rest of them wore the host's garment.

And I stood out among them.

As well I should, I thought.

After all, I worked hard to get here.

 

Everyone was staring at me.

I looked up to see our host looking at me.

"I gave you the chance to become community with my other guests.

But you chose to flaunt your wealth and position instead."

 

"I had hoped that we could all learn humility.

Learn that what binds us together is more important -

More important than than what sets us apart.

That we all might celebrate together." 

"I will honor your choice to be apart from us -

Your evident desire to stand out.

Be honest with yourself, and leave us.

And we will mourn your passing."

  

Shalom!