August 22

[media presentation below]

GospelThink

Thursday, August 22

MATTHEW 22:1-14
The Wedding Feast

Prayerthoughts

a. I obviously desire to dine in the Kingdom, that is, go to heaven. Do I think of eternal life as often as I should?

b. According to Scripture scholars, these are all legitimate excuses since the wedding feast could last a couple of days. Do I make excuses so that I do not spend enough time to pursue my spiritual life?

c. Does the thought that the Lord has chosen other people “less than I am (in my selfish opinion)” upset me? Why?

d. Our God is the type of God who “makes” people come to enjoy the Kingdom. Do I think of our God to be a compassionate God?

e. Everyone is invited to the wedding feast. Is there anyone that I exclude in thinking of the people I pray for? Perhaps I should think of the people that I have a difficult time with right now praying that God will be part of their lives.

f. The wedding garment was given to the people as they enter the feast. There is no excuse for the man not to have it on. Putting it on implies a complete change of heart. What is holding me back from a complete turning to God?

g. The master condemns those who are without the proper disposition to change. Notice that it is the person’s own fault. He/she chooses not to change.

h. “Many are invited, but few are chosen.” I am among the “chosen” simply because I am thinking about what I can do to change. I should not become scrupulous about having eternal life. I simply must keep doing my best to change for the better.

i. My prayerthoughts…

Today, I will read the Ezekiel, chapter 36,

and write an important thought from it.

Some Thoughts on the Liturgy

THE INVITATION TO CHANGE

+ The meaning of Jesus’ story in the Gospel today is that his invitation to come to his Kingdom should change people’s lives

- the invitation was given to the Hebrew people of Jesus’ time, and because they did not accept it, they did not change their lives

- now in our own day, the invitation is given to us

- and it should change us

+ If we study Jesus’ story with that in mind, namely what it should do for us,

- we see that we might have to alter our way of thinking about some things in our lives

- it may be that we are not as open to the Lord as we should be

- it may be that the Lord is insisting that we come to his way of thinking, as he did with the Hebrew people of his day

- in fact, we are called to it in such a way that we may have to make a radical change

- that fact is symbolized in the wedding garment of the Gospel story which was probably given at the door of the celebration, and so there was no excuse not to put it on

- it means that we have to deliberately place upon ourselves the characteristics of the Kingdom of Jesus

- and in the process, change radically

+ The problem is, of course, that we don’t like to change, and we find all kinds of ways to stay away from it, no matter what area we are talking about

- but if our desire is real, and finally manage to change,

- then we will experience the great promise given to Israel in the reading from Ezekiel: “You shall be my people, and I will be your God”

+ Jesus has given us the invitation to his Kingdom

- in a sense, we have formally accepted the invitation: we are here

- we have put on the wedding garment

- now, we have to make it real

- and probably change some things

- it is not easy, and ultimately, why Jesus closed his story with the ominous words:

Many are invited; but few are chosen.

MEDIA PRESENTATION

Song: "Peaches" -- Justin Bieber featuring Daniel Caesar and Giveon

THE "VERY BEST"

The Gospel

LUKE 10:38-42

Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary [who] sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me." The Lord said to her in reply, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her."

Gospelthink: Martha and Mary were friends of mine, and I could speak to them plainly, telling them that Mary was doing well because she listened to me. Do I truly listen to the Lord in the Gospels?

"I got my peaches out in Georgia, I get my light right from the source. The way I breathe you in, it's the texture of your skin, I want to wrap my arms around you and never let you go. There’s nothing like your touch, it's the way you lift me up and I’ll be right here with you until the end of time. You ain’t sure yet, but I’m for you.”

The artist of the song "Peaches," Justin Bieber, is no doubt thinking of the love of his life, his wife, as he sings the song. Part of his life was spent in Georgia, the Peach State, but the feel of the song is one of "love." And in particular, as one considers what Georgia stands for, namely the very best peaches, one can generalize the thinking of the song to the thought of seeking the "very best" in what we do. The man in the relationship is thinking of the very best in love, and that is the love that he has discovered.

As we study our lives, in whatever circumstance we find ourselves, the one guide that we have is that we seek the "very best" in carrying it out. Obviously, we do not want to give ourselves to something or someone that is only second best. Therefore our thought is always about seeking the "very best."

So it is with love. "I get my light right from the source" Justin Bieber sings. The source of his love is obviously the lady in the relationship, and it is there that the man seeks his light, that is, his reason to live. She is the "very best" for him.

It is exactly the situation of Mary in the Gospel of Luke. Jesus recognizes that the "very best" way to show a love of another is to pay close attention to what he/she says. To be busy about hospitality is important but it is not the "very best" that one could do. He tells Martha that Mary had chosen the "very best."

Choosing the "very best" love is not easy in our world. It implies not only the person who is choosing the "very best," but it also must mean that the person who is chosen agrees with the other. In the song, it seems as though the lady is not ready yet, as the man sings, "You ain't sure yet." One sees here an important element of choosing the "very best," namely, it will take some time to determine what is the "very best" for everyone involved.

You and I want the "very best" in every situation. To determine it will take time and deep thinking on our parts.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, we want the "very best" in everything we do while we are here on earth. Help us to achieve that goal not only with the things of earth, but give us the grace to truly listen to what you say to us, that is, the "very best" for our spiritual lives. Be with us, we pray.

+++++

GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: We should look for the "very best" in everything we do.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. What does the song "Peaches" teach young people?
2. "Listening to the Lord" is obviously the conclusion of the Gospel. In the category of "listening," do most people really listen to the Lord's directives? Yes or no and why?
3. Do most people honestly listen to one another?
4. What elements must a relationship have in order to be the "very best" for each other?
5. What is the most important thing that we do in our lives?
6. The meditation says that choosing the "very best" love in our lives takes time. In general, what is your opinion about how long a couple should know each other before they are married?