August 20, 2020
Thursday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings for Today
San Bernardo de Claraval, abad y doctor de la Iglesia—Memoria
«Los criados salieron a los caminos y reunieron a todos los que encontraron, malos y buenos, y la sala se llenó de invitados. Pero cuando el rey entró a conocer a los invitados, vio allí a un hombre que no llevaba traje de boda. Le dijo: “Amigo, ¿cómo has entrado aquí sin traje de boda?”. Pero él se quedó callado. Entonces el rey dijo a sus servidores: “Átenlo de pies y manos y arrójenlo a las tinieblas de afuera, donde habrá llanto y rechinar de dientes”. Porque muchos son los invitados, pero pocos los elegidos». Mateo 22,10-14
This may be quite shocking at first. In this parable the king invited many to the wedding feast of his son. Many rejected the invitation. He then sent his servants out to gather anyone who would come and the hall was filled. But when the king came in, there was one not dressed in a wedding garment and we can see what happens to him in the passage above.
Una vez más, a primera vista esto puede resultar un poco desconcertante. ¿Realmente merecía este hombre que lo ataran de pies y manos y lo arrojaran a las tinieblas de afuera, donde hay llanto y rechinar de dientes, solo por no llevar la ropa adecuada? Por supuesto que no.
Understanding this parable requires we understand the symbolism of the wedding garment. This garment is a symbol of one who is clothed in Christ and, specifically, one who is therefore filled with charity. There is a very interesting lesson to learn from this passage.
First, the fact that this man was at the wedding feast means he responded to the invitation. This is an indication of faith. Therefore, this man does symbolize one who has faith. Second, the lack of a wedding garment means that he is one who has faith and believes all that God says, but has not allowed that faith to permeate his heart and soul to the point of producing true conversion and, therefore, true charity. It is the lacking of charity in the young man that condemns him.
The interesting point is that it is possible for us to have faith, but to lack charity. Faith is believing what God reveals to us. But even the demons believe! Charity requires we embrace that will interiorly and let it transform our lives. This is an important point to understand because sometimes we can struggle with this same situation. At times we can find we believe on the level of faith, but are not living it. Both are required for a life of authentic holiness.
Reflexiona hoy tanto sobre tu fe en todo lo que Dios ha dicho como sobre la caridad que, es de esperar, esa fe produce en tu vida. Ser cristiano significa dejar que tu fe pase de la cabeza al corazón y a la voluntad.
Lord, may I have deep faith in You and in all that You have spoken. May that faith sink into my heart producing love of You and others. Jesus, I trust in You.
Reflexiones sobre la Divina Misericordia
Santo del día – San Bernardo de Claraval, abad y doctor de la Iglesia
Opciones de lecturas de la Misa
Image: An etching by Jan Luyken illustrating Matthew 22:11-14 in the Bowyer Bible, Bolton, England
