August 20, 2020
Thursday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings for Today
San Bernardo ng Clairvaux, Abad at Pantas ng Simbahan—Paggunita
“Lumabas ang mga lingkod sa mga lansangan at tinipon ang lahat ng kanilang natagpuan, masasama at mabubuti, at napuno ng mga panauhin ang bulwagan. Ngunit nang pumasok ang hari upang makipagkita sa mga panauhin, nakita niya roon ang isang lalaking hindi nakasuot ng damit na pangkasal. Sinabi niya rito, ‘Kaibigan, paano ka nakapasok dito nang walang damit na pangkasal?’ Ngunit hindi ito nakapagsalita. Kaya sinabi ng hari sa kanyang mga tagapaglingkod, ‘Gapusin ninyo ang kanyang mga kamay at paa, at itapon siya sa kadiliman sa labas, kung saan magkakaroon ng pagtangis at pagngangalit ng mga ngipin.’ Marami ang inaanyayahan, ngunit kakaunti ang pinipili.” Matthew 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.
Muli, sa unang pagbasa ay maaaring medyo nakakagulat ito. Talaga bang nararapat na gapusin ang mga kamay at paa ng lalaking ito at itapon siya sa kadiliman sa labas, kung saan may pagtangis at pagngangalit ng mga ngipin, dahil lamang sa hindi angkop ang kanyang kasuotan? Tiyak na hindi.
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.
Pagnilayan mo ngayon ang iyong pananampalataya sa lahat ng sinabi ng Diyos, gayundin ang pag-ibig na inaasahang ibinubunga nito sa iyong buhay. Ang pagiging Kristiyano ay nangangahulugang hinahayaan mong tumagos ang iyong pananampalataya mula sa iyong isip patungo sa iyong puso at kalooban.
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.
Higit pang mga Pagninilay sa Ebanghelyo
Mga Pagninilay sa Inaawit na Awa ng Diyos
Santo ng Araw – San Bernardo ng Clairvaux, Abad at Pantas ng Simbahan
Mga Pagpipilian sa mga Pagbasa sa Misa
Image: An etching by Jan Luyken illustrating Matthew 22:11-14 in the Bowyer Bible, Bolton, England
