SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2020 – The Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
October10,2020
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
On the 40th Anniversary of my Ordination to the Priesthood, my staff surprised me by presenting a wonderful luncheon. Though just a few of us, I was deeply touched and delighted to have a real Italian pranzo with all the courses. Looking at their smiling faces and noticing their kindness made me feel special and joyful.
Today, in the passage from Isaiah, we have the image of a festive, bountiful banquet, and in St. Matthew, the image of a splendid wedding banquet. After all these centuries, we can still relate to a wonderful get together to celebrate the important occasions of our lives or special times of the year.
With good reason and because He loves us, Jesus uses the Wedding Banquet scene to give us a glimpse of the glories of the heavenly banquet in heaven. The host, God, invites generously and lovingly. However, we must accept the invitation. Love is love but meant to be received. Through the Sacred Scriptures, Jesus calls out to each of us to respond to His saving graces. He will never give up on us, but we must not give up on Him. Our excuses must be set aside to open ourselves up to all that He has to offer us. We must accept God’s invitation.
The Holy Eucharist, a sacred meal, renews the Sacrifice of the Cross in our midst so that we may be strengthened along the way to heaven. Jesus reaches out to unite us to His supreme sacrifice of love on the Cross and the glories of His Resurrection. In Holy Communion he feeds our souls with His divine life to nourish us spiritually. One day we hope to be at the heavenly banquet. When we receive our last Holy Communion, the priest says: “May the Body of Christ preserve your soul unto life everlasting. Amen.” Many times, a few moments later the saved soul enters into the eternal banquet of heaven, seeing God face to face, in communion with all the angels and saints. Alleluia!
Yours in the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Fr. Mark G. Mazza, Pastor