Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
In this time of the Eucharistic Revival, I would like to approach another beautiful Sacrament, marriage. When a man and a woman join hands and hearts and choose to be married in the Church, they are joining in love, becoming one flesh in Christ Jesus. The truth behind the mystery of the Sacrament is beautiful, and this sacred gift is something that carries a challenge together with it. Marriage is like anything worthwhile. There are good days and bad days, crosses and consolations.
Married couples, in fact, must know they are embracing the cross. Jesus Himself did in His marriage. That’s right, Jesus was married. He is married right now. He married to the Church! The Church is the Bride of Christ. Jesus knew what He wanted to give to souls, a Church filled with the treasures of the Sacraments and a heart that beats with the hearts of everyone. How could it not be? Jesus gave His very life to this beautiful marriage. Our Holy Church is married to Christ and gives us Christ as her very self.
Marriage is one of the most blessed gifts the Church has. And yet, sadly, marriage in today’s culture is not regarded highly. People in the Western World see marriage only as a social contract or agreement and something that is dispensable for any reason. The national divorce rate is at 50% last time I checked. How sad it is that neglect and abandonment would denigrate something so holy.
Today’s Gospel parable shows us the dynamic of marriage at work. The invited guests to a royal wedding turn down the invitation for one reason or another. The audacity to turn down a King’s invitation to a wedding brought with it swift retribution. Then, all those on the highways and byways were invited. They come to the wedding and fulfill the dream of the wedding feast, a communion coming together to celebrate matrimony, love, and family. One without a proper wedding garment is thrown out.
This parable carries with it many insights of salvific value. We all receive an invitation to Christ’s wedding with the Church, full sacramental life in the Church. How sad it is that too may turn the invitation down! Marriage itself is blessed here because it is the first institute and foundation of society. Humanity cannot function well without the cornerstone of family life. Finally, when your time and mine come for the final dance, our meeting at the Lamb’s wedding feast, we will all need to stand ready and dressed properly in our Baptismal robes to meet Christ our Lamb and Lord. Amen.
Reflection by Br. Matthew Marie, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections