28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle A, Year II)
Community Word: True disciples of Jesus respond to His calling to fruitfulness.
Theme: True disciples of Jesus respond with fruitfulness when they depend on Him totally for strength.
Promise: “My God will supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:19)
Reflection
We are unlike the son of the king and the guests who refused to come to the feast. As members of the Bukas Loob Sa Diyos Community,we have graciously accepted the invitation to partake of the banquet. But are we really any better than those who refused the invitation in our gospel reading?
We all know that the banquet often referred to as the Wedding Feast, represents the gift of eternal life that was fulfilled when Jesus shed His blood on the Holy Cross to redeem us.“The Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines…”(Isa 25:6) In the first reading, Isaiah prophesies the promise of salvation with the coming of Jesus who conquers death in order to give life to God’s children.“…he will destroy death forever. Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth.”(Is 25:8)
Who would not want to partake of such a feast of “calves and fattened cattle.”But mere acceptance is not sufficient. What good will it be to have accepted an invitation to an LSS (Life in the Spirit Seminar), a Marriage Encounter (ME), a Family Encounter (FE), a Solo Parents Encounter (SPE), a Singles Encounter (SE) a Youth Encounter (YE) or other similar programs if we are not a true follower of Jesus? When we say “yes” and respond to the Lord’s calling, the people around us should know that we are Christ’s followers by the way we live.We need to be “living witnesses for transformation in Christ”, which is in factor BLD vision, signifying the constant presence of God in our lives.
Following Jesus involves a life of trials and sacrifices. St. Paul endured so much suffering to proclaim God’s kingdom but he persisted and kept his eyes focused on the eternal reward that awaited him. He serves as a source of inspiration for members of BLD as we face obstacles along the way. We may go through physical trials, financial hurdles, spiritual complications or even emotional hitches that cause us to be discouraged.But with every test, the grace of God abounds that gives us strength to carry on. On our own, we can do nothing but through Christ, we can do all things. We are to live and work and proclaim God’s kingdom by the power of the Holy Spirit and not on our own human capabilities. We depend on Him for strength, wisdom and guidance in everything we do. ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts. (Zech 4:6)
Without our unwavering trust in the Lord, we are doomed to fail and we will be no better than the man who came to the feast without the wedding garment and was consequently chastised. The king orders his men to “’Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Mt. 22:13-14) What are we to do to be counted among the few chosen ones? Our theme for this week provides the answer: True disciples of Jesus respond with fruitfulness when they depend on Him totally for strength.”I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13)
Our Father’s invitation to the Feast is given to all men but not all are guaranteed salvation. Those who reject the offer lose by default,no matter how legitimate their reasons may be – one attended to his farm and the other to his business. But even those who readily accept the invitation but come without the wedding garment are likewise punished. No one can lay claim to the kingdom as a right because it is given as pure grace. Our response to the offer is a life-long commitment, a daily ongoing obligation, 24×7. It is indeed an awesome task but we remain undaunted as we rely on the Lord’s promise for the week: “My God will supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:19)
Prayer:
Lord I want to partake of the banquet of eternal life. Today I once again say “yes” to your invitation because I want to be Your follower. But I cannot do it on my own for I know that without You I am nothing but with You I can do all things. I look to You each moment of the day for my strength and not rely on my human abilities that are so imperfect. I depend on You totally and I need Your constant guidance everyday. I need Your strength to empower me. I offer my whole being to You so You can use me as an empty vessel to carry out Your work. Let Your will be done in my life Lord as I give you back all the glory, the honor and the praise. In Jesus mighty name I pray, Amen.
Reflection Question:
1. What is the one thing in your life that You want to totally give to the Lord this week for Him to take full control of?
2. What are your activities this coming week that would highlight your total dependence on Jesus and bring you closer to the feast of eternal life?
This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
October 12, 2014 (Sun Is 25:6-10/Ps 23:1-,6/Phil 4:12-14,1-9-20/Mt 22:1-14
October 13, 2014 (Mon) Gal 4:22-24,26-27,31-5:1/Ps 113:1-2,3-4,5,6-7/Lk 11:29-32
October 14, 2014 (Tues) Gal Gal 5:1-6/Ps 119:41,43,44,45,47,48/Lk 11:37-41
October 15, 2014 (Wed) Gal Gal 18-25?ps 1:1-2,3,4,6/Lk 11:42-46
October 16, 2014 (Thurs) Eph 1:1-10/Ps 98:1,2-3,3-4,5-6/Lk 11:47-54
October 17, 2014 (Fri) Eph 1:11-14/Ps 33:1-2,4-5,12-13/Lk 12:1-7
October 18, 2014 (Sat) 2Tm 4:9-17/Ps 145:10-11,12-13,17-18/Lk 10:1-9
“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”
