Day 15
28th Sunday in ordinary time, 15 October 2023
Feast: St. Teresa of Avila
Reading: Isa. 25:6-10a; Phil. 4:12-14.19-20
Gospel: Matt. 22:1-14 (Matt. 22:1- 10)
“Many are invited, but few are chosen”
(Matthew 22:14)
Jesus likes to teach with parables. The wedding feast is a parable of the Kingdom of God. This parable is appropriate, as in a wedding feast there is always joy, fraternity, unity, and “abundance” in welcoming the guests. This is what the Kingdom of God be like, for those responding to Jesus’ invitation.
In this parable, those invited ignored the invitation. They were busy with their own business. Some went to their farm or to their business. Some disliked the invitation and mistreated the king’s messenger and killed him. The king enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.
The story continued, the feast had to go on. The king asked his servants to go out into the main roads and invite whomever they found, good and bad alike, so as to fill the banquet hall. However, at the end of the story, those who were not dressed in wedding garments were cast into the darkness.
That is how the Kingdom of God is offered to us. First to the invited guests, all of us, the Christians. As the first one who hears of the Kingdom of God, we are the first group to be invited. But, like the invitees in the parable, sometimes we neglect it. We are too focused on our business and personal interests. We just take God’s invitation for granted. Personal interests not only make people reject the Gospel, but also hate, torture, and kill His messengers. Does God keep silent? No. Those persecutors will get the consequence of their deeds, just like the murderers and the entire city.
After the rejection, God’s messengers are sent to anywhere, not only to the same faith. Gospel is begun and offered to everyone universally, the good and bad people. Christians consist of many types of humans. Weed and wheat grow together. The invitations are sent out to everyone on the main road, not in a specific location. The messengers do not select the guests. They are only asked to gather as many people as they can find, so the banquet will be full.
In the end, the king (God) Himself will make the selection. He will enter the banquet hall and select the guests. Many are invited and come. Yet the readiness to this invitation should be prepared with “wedding garment”. There was a guest who seemed to respond positively to the invitation, he came right away, but in fact, he was not really ready for the feast. Outwardly he came, but inwardly he didn’t deserve it. This kind of person is like those who rejected to come (the first group). Therefore, he was cast out of the banquet hall, to a place of his inner disposition! “Many are invited, but few are chosen.” (Matt. 22:14).
There are two types of persons who don’t deserve the Kingdom of God. The first ones are those who reject God’s invitation. The second ones are those who are zealous to come and accept the invitation, yet they don’t deserve it spiritually. They have religion, but no faith!
Our mission today: Ready to respond to the calling with joy
(Budi Ingelina – National Bureau of Pontifical Mission Society)
DAILY DEDICATED PRAYER
Lord, our Father, I present my today prayer, thought, word, work, joy and sorrow in the unity with Your Son, Jesus Christ, who always presents Himself in the Eucharist for the salvation of the world. May the Holy Spirit animating Jesus, also be my guidance and strength today so that I am ready to be the witness of Your love.
Together with St. Mary, Mother of Jesus and the Church, in particular I present my prayer for our Pope and apostle prayer of Indonesian Church of this month:
For the Synod
We pray for the Church, that she may adopt listening and dialogue as a lifestyle at every level, and allow herself to be guided by the Holy Spirit towards the peripheries of the world.
For the Empowerment
We pray that the empowerment activists are blessed with perseverance, tenacity and creativity in assisting small communities to meet their needs and increase their welfare.
Amen.
MISSIONARY ROSARY
The Glorious Mysteries
1. The Resurrection
“The angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.” (Matt. 28:5-6)
Prayer is intended for the continent of Asia (yellow beads)
Lord Father and Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all nations, we pray for Your grace of unity for the continent of Asia, especially our country, Indonesia, which will soon hold a Presidential Election. May the election be held in an open, transparent, and accountable circumstance that becomes the instrument of uniting the entire Indonesian. Guide our hearts and minds to elect the wise and just president. May our faith in You be the foundation to make us active citizens, willing to care and participate in advancing our people and country. Keep us away from any conflicts, acts of violence, and negative impacts in this election, for us to rejoice in welcoming the new president. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, and Saviour. Amen.
Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all Nations, pray and protect us, your children!
2. The Ascension
“When he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. ‘Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.’” (Acts 1:9-11)
Prayer is intended for the continent of Australia & Oceania (blue beads)
Lord Father and Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all nations, we are praying for the continent of Australia and Oceania. Grant the Spirit of Faith to the community so they can appreciate the history and root of life. Currently, the Aborigin, indigenous people of Australia, are facing suffering, oppression, and injustice due to racism, enslavement, violence, and confiscation of their land rights. Protect them and restore their freedom to live on the land inherited from their ancestors. Enlighten everyone’s mind to interpret the respect for ancestors and history as the form of our faith in the history of Your creation. May Your work of love become real through the efforts to maintain and care for the culture inheritance and treasure, including the life of the indigenous people. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, and Saviour. Amen.
Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all Nations, pray and protect us, your children!
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit
“Suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting […] and they were filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts. 2:2.4)
Prayer is intended for the continent of Europe (white beads)
Lord Father and Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all nations, bless the continent of Europe with the Spirit of fraternity. Free every heart from fear of the refugees and asylum seekers, that cause stigma, hostility, and discrimination. Instill respect for life so that justice and humanity can be practiced especially to the weak and marginalized, those who need safety and protection. Many children who are victims of war could not meet their parents due to restrictions. May they soon be gathered with their family and gain back their free life. And may the differences can be compromised, a new solution can be achieved to reach the reconciliation that will ensure the rights of life and equal protection for everybody. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, and Saviour. Amen.
Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all Nations, pray and protect us, your children!
4. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with them. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”(1 Thess. 4:14.17)
Prayer is intended for the continent of America (red beads)
Lord Father and Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all nations, grant freedom for the victims of human trafficking and slavery, especially in the continent of America. Save the victims, as You are our Saviour. May those who had undergone such crime be lifted by You and be filled with Your joy. Set the criminals free from evil and guide them to repentance. May Your grace be with the individuals, groups, and organizations in fighting human trafficking and slavery, so that respect for human dignity can be established on this earth. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, and Saviour. Amen.
Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all Nations, pray and protect us, your children!
5. The Coronation and the Blessed Virgin Mary
“And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.” (Rev. 12:1)
Prayer is intended for the continent of Africa (green beads)
Lord Father and Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all nations, we pray for your blessing on the continent of Africa to free them from natural disasters and violence. Food crisis due to drought, flood, and ongoing conflicts has caused high mortality. Victims are the children: killed and died from malnutrition. Pour out your grace, oh Merciful and Loving Father, bless the nature of this continent so it can provide abundance to support the lives of its people. Free them from poverty and the threat of extreme hunger which is the cause of their suffering. May the spirit of solidarity continue to grow within all of us, for the whole world would care and work together to offer help to our brothers and sisters on the continent of Africa. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, and Saviour. Amen.
Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all Nations, pray and protect us, your children!
Situs Resmi Karya Misi Kepausan Indonesia (KMKI) 