“DIDJA KNOW?”
by: Deacon Paul Rooney (deaconpaul@cox.net)
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time
(Cycle “A" – October 9, 2005)

Q. 340:   In Matthew’s parable of the wedding feast (Mt 22:1-14], the man who didn’t have fancy clothes gets tossed out.   Since when does God care how you are dressed?

A. 340:   I think some of us have been appalled and dismayed (rightly so) at the lack of respect shown to our Creator and Redeemer by others who show up at Mass in wrinkled shorts and flip-flops, chewing their gum, and so on.   The operative words are “show up” - - because that is about all they are doing, it would seem - - just fulfilling an “obligation” rather than desiring to participate fully in honoring and worshipping our Eternal King.

Something like that is going on in our Parable from Matthew’s gospel today.   Invitations to the wedding feast have gone out twice to specific people, and both times they were rejected or ignored.   Finally he extends an invitation to everyone else.   When the wedding feast takes place, there is someone there who just “shows up,” who simply responds to the invitation without really wanting to be there - - otherwise he would have dressed properly for the occasion.   So he gets the heave-ho.

I suspect just about everyone has just “shown up” at events we would really rather not have attended, but did so because it was “expected” (examples: recitals, open houses, etc.).  However, salvation and eternal life with the King does not happen just by “showing up.”   Instead, there needs to be an interior change, a true conversion of heart, which makes itself known through the actions of each individual.   The “wedding garment” in the parable refers to this interior change, this conversion of heart that is mandatory for entry into the eternal wedding banquet with the King.

KNOW YOUR CATECHISM!   True interior conversion will show itself in truly Christian exterior actions (CCC #1435).   This true conversion is a radical reorientation of our lives to God, although it may be a gradual growth and does not have to be a one-time event (CCC #1431).   The response to Jesus’ invitation to enter his kingdom requires not just words, but deeds (CCC #546).

Deacon Paul Rooney
Mary Our Queen Parish, Omaha