39 Meditation #1 The Parable of the Wedding Banquet (Matt 22:1-14) Today's Gospel presents a parable of a wedding banquet. In this heavenly feast, it is evident that the Lord extends His invitation to everyone, even when they are faced with rejection. However, the seemingly severe punishment described in the parable is a result of the guests' own foolishness. Some were cast into darkness because they did not fully prepare their wedding garments. This parable brings a sense of urgency, yet it also reassures us that God has given each of us ample time to prepare. Mary, the mother of Jesus, serves as the perfect example of this preparation. Today, the Church commemorates the Queenship of Mary, a title she earned through her lifelong preparation of her own “wedding garment.” When Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel and invited to take part in God’s plan of salvation, she didn’t immediately accept. She was hesitant, even fearful, but with Gabriel’s persistent encouragement, Mary eventually embraced this daunting task and began her journey of preparation. It wasn’t until she stood at the foot of the Cross, witnessing to the crucifixion of her Son in profound sorrow, that her wedding garment was fully prepared. From a human perspective, Mary's life was filled with suffering. She fled from danger, lived in constant concern for Jesus, and ultimately watched Him die. Yet through it all, she remained with Christ, lived in reliance on God, and attained deep inner joy, a joy she proclaimed in her Magnificat even while experiencing uncertainty and fear. Similarly, the Lord has extended His invitation to us, giving us a lifetime to prepare. This preparation isn’t about a physical garment, but about cultivating inner purity and spiritual maturity. In this journey, Mary stands as a powerful example, reminding us to humble ourselves, to be still, and to prioritize our spiritual growth and relationship with God amidst the busyness of life. By following her example, we can make ourselves worthy of the wedding feast that God has prepared for us and be mindful that ‘many are called, but few are chosen.’ May we count ourselves as among the few. Meditations on the Word Mengjie Li SVD
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