Objective Seeing that we are called to be ready, not only for the heavenly banquet, but for the banquet now—the reign of God among us with the celebration of the Mass.

Scripture Passages Isaiah 25:6-10a – God Prepares a Banquet Isaiah 25:8 makes a promise about something God will do. What is that promise, and how did it come true? Psalm 23 – The Lord Our Shepherd Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20 – Thanks for the Gift Matthew 22:1-14 – The Parable of the Wedding Feast

Opening Prayer Heavenly Father, through these words help me understand the things you wish to teach me. Dear Jesus, through these words let me feel the love you have for me as you feel your Father’s love for you. Holy Spirit, through these words inspire me to live as a follower of Jesus and bring your love to everyone I meet today. Amen

Section Split The following small groups will stay here for our Presentation: 6A – Elizabeth Martin 6C – Robert Woolley 7B – Joan Gutermuth 8B – Diane Pelzek The remaining groups will go to Classroom 6/7 for Small Group: 6B – Laura Schwartz 7A – Chris Groh 8A – Jim Murray 8C – Sheila Waters We will switch rooms at 7:15. ALL groups will meet back here at 7:45 for Reflection and Closing Prayer.

The Parable of the Wedding Banquet(3:49) Video The Parable of the Wedding Banquet(3:49)

Activity What Not to Wear

Presentation Equal Dignity for All Jesus painted the Kingdom as a feast of equals. Shock #1 - the king's multiple invitations and the guests' rejection. Both indicated the king's perceived weakness. Shock #2 - an invitation to the general population. The seats of the privileged were open to anyone. Shock #3 - this feast of equals was God's Kingdom! God raised the lowest in society to the dignity of his child.

Many are invited, but few are chosen (Matthew 22:14) Verse of the Day Many are invited, but few are chosen (Matthew 22:14)

Video People Get Ready (4:43)

Think About It How will you respond to God’s invitation?

The Parable of the Wedding Feast Activity Lectio Divina Matthew 22:1-14 The Parable of the Wedding Feast

22:2 The kingdom of heaven is like a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. “This king who made the marriage for his son is God. Now he makes a marriage for our Lord Jesus Christ and the Church.” (St. Jerome) Hearing of this king reminds us of the “newborn king” mentioned in Matthew 2:2. He, too, will be rejected. Compare this parable to the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matt 18:23-35). There, a king demonstrates tremendous pity and forgiveness only to have it spurned by an ungrateful servant. At the Last Judgment, Jesus the King will come to reward those who exhibit generous charity toward their needy neighbors (Matt 25:34, 40). In his trial before Pontius Pilate and in his crucifixion, the kingship of Christ is denied. (Matt 27:11, 29, 37, 42)

22:3 He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. Meditate on the fact the only thing the king asks for is that his guests be with him.

22:4 A second time he sent other servants, saying “Tell those invited: ‘Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast.’” The king tries to entice his potential guests by announcing the menu: “Since God knew that man is enticed by favors, he wished to bind him to his love by means of his gifts. (St. Alphonsus Liguori)

22:5-7 “Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.” Do we recognize a similar resistance in ourselves? What is behind it?

22:8 “Then he said to his servants, “The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come.’” To be “worthy” in Matthew means to be diligent toward the Lord and dependent on others. (Mt 10:9-10) To be worthy means loving Jesus Christ more than our parents or our children. (Mt 10:37) To be worthy entails a willingness to take up our cross and follow after Jesus. (Mt. 10:380) The wedding feast of the parable prefigures the Last Supper and our invitation to his table.

22:9-10 Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.’ The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests.” St. Gregory the Great points out that it is often the poor who come readily to God. How has this insight been verified in your own life?

22:11 “But when the king came in to meet the guests he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment.” The understanding is that the wedding garment was provided by the host, but the obstinate guest refused to put it on. How does this relate to us?

22:12 “He said to him, ‘My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?’ But he was reduced to silence.” The Fathers of the church interpret the wedding garment to be charity, baptism, the sacraments, the grace of the Holy Spirit, etc., that is the way by which we are united to Christ’s sacrifice. “Friend” has is an ominous foreshadowing as the next person addressed this way is Judas (Matt 26:50). The guest remained silent because he knew that at the Final Judgment, there will be no more time for arguments or excuses.

22:13 “then the king said to his attendance, ‘Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’” The harsh treatment of the guest without a wedding garment is a warning to Christians who “do the minimum” or are lax in their faith. “He who scorns this most precious gift can expect nothing more. He judges himself, he falls into ruin.” (Von Balthasar)

22:14 “Many are invited, but few are chosen.” Our glory is in knowing that God has chosen us (Matt 24:31) and in responding to the invitation to his wedding feast. The Sunday Mass and the Eucharist is the wedding feast. It is up to us to use our freedom wisely to make a worthy response to this grace-filled reality.

Prayer Petitions Prayer Petitions: Giver of all good gifts, give us the bread of life, we pray to the Lord. R: Lord, Hear our Prayer   Father of the poor, admit us to the wedding feast of heaven, we pray to the Lord. Source of all good, prepare us for the feast of eternal life, we pray to the Lord. [Prayer Intentions] For these and all our personal intentions, we pray to the Lord.

Closing Prayer God our King, You call us to share your life and be happy with you forever. Do not let us be deaf to your voice by our selfishness; guide us along the path of love, so that one day we will be worthy to be with you at heaven’s great family meal, and with Jesus, your Son, who lives with you, forever and ever. Amen

Coming Attractions Oct 16 - Session #8 - Two Sides of the Coin Oct 24 - Permission slips due for Scary Movie Night Nov 6 - Permission slips due for 8th Grade Retreat Nov 12 - Next Girls Mentoring Night