Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time / Msgr. Owen F. Campion
The Sunday Readings
The first part of the Book of Isaiah provides the first reading for Mass this weekend.
Understanding the cultural, social, political and economic context surrounding the composition of biblical texts always helps to capture their meaning.
Generally, times were not good for the chosen people. Aside from bursts of prosperity and peace under David and Solomon, they usually had to cope with war, invasion, want or worse.
The prophets usually saw little that they could truly applaud. Invariably, they proclaimed that it was human sin, not divine revenge or indifference to human distress, which was the cause of trouble in the world.
Understandably, then, the prophets often demanded that people be true to God at all times.
This passage was written when times were not all that bad, but dark storm clouds lay on the horizon. The people, generally speaking, were lukewarm in honoring God. Isaiah loudly protested that this religious sluggishness surely would be their downfall.
The prophet also insisted that if the people were faithful to God, all would be right. Peace and security would reign. Prosperity would prevail. Tears would be wiped away. Fears would be stilled. People would rejoice that God had saved them. God would be in their hearts.
The second reading is from St. Paul’s Epistle to the Philippians. On several occasions recorded in the Acts of the Apostles or in Paul’s epistles, we read of the Apostle being imprisoned for preaching against the establishment or simply for disturbing the peace. This passage from Philippians was written while Paul was in prison.
Jail, humiliation and abuse were Paul’s plight. Nevertheless, he said that his faith in God never wavered. His commitment to proclaiming the Gospel always drove him on. Nothing else mattered to him. God gave Christ to the world. Paul felt that he had to extend this gift far and wide.
St. Matthew’s Gospel furnishes the last reading. The reading recounts a parable, with three developments.
First, a king, who represents God, invited guests, familiar and even privileged, to a wedding banquet for his son. These people rejected the invitation. Next, the king invited other guests. They also ignored the invitation, distracted by other concerns. Finally, the king invited outcasts and strangers to the feast. They came.
As all celebrated, the king saw a guest at the banquet improperly dressed. He ordered this guest to be removed.
The king’s servants represent the prophets. The privileged guests who spurn the invitation represent the people of Israel. The invited with other interests are those who think themselves without need for God. The outcasts and strangers represent gentiles and the sinful.
God’s mercy extends to everyone. Even so, God drags no one into the kingdom of heaven. Sinners must reform with the help of grace to be worthy of God’s invitation.
Reflection
Times are changing in France. A century ago, the Catholic faith was vibrantly alive. The country was, as medieval popes described it, “the most Christian nation.” Then religious devotion plunged.
Visiting the country a generation ago, Pope St. John Paul II exclaimed, “Where, France, is your baptism?”
Considering recent events, it appears that a growing number of French citizens, especially young adults, have found the religion of their ancestors. Religious practice is returning in significant ways.
Even the most optimistic Church leaders have been surprised to see the renewed interest in the Catholic faith there.
Pope Leo XIV’s visit to France last month confirmed what seems to be the trend. His trip was little less than triumphant.
He represents Christ. People want to feel that life has a purpose. They sense a bond with other human beings. They reject mistreatment of others. They long for support in their lives that will not fail. They want to hope in the future.
All of us need to face facts. We need to reform. The Gospels tell us that Jesus is the answer, as so many in France are realizing. †