Fans of Jesus

依 25:6-10; 詠 22:1-6; 斐 4:12-14, 19-20; 瑪 22:1-14

在今天的第一篇讀經中，依撒意亞先知為我們描繪了一幅美麗的圖像，即天主為祂的子民所預備的一切：一場盛大的宴席。在那裡，不再有悲傷和死亡，天主也會拭去每一張臉上的眼淚。這是一個充滿希望的訊息。無論我們在生活中面對甚麼困難，天主都應許我們一個更美好的未來。祂邀請我們分享祂的喜樂，並永遠與祂同在。

在今天的福音中，耶穌講述了一個比喻：有一位國王為自己的兒子舉辦婚宴。請柬早已送出，可是那些被邀請的賓客，卻拒絕赴宴，因為他們都忙著處理自己的事情。於是，其他人就被邀請了來，終於坐滿了整個婚宴大廳。這個比喻清楚地告訴我們：天主的邀請是慷慨的，祂渴望每一個人都能分享祂的國度，而我們也必須願意作出回應。有時候，即使我們都相信天主，我們也會很容易受困於工作、憂慮和日常生活中一切，以致無法爲天主留下多少空間。

另外，福音中也提到了婚宴的禮服。這提醒我們，接受天主的邀請，並不只是出席那麼簡單。我們的信仰應該促成生活的改變。可以說，我們被召穿上基督的衣裳：就是要有一顆謙遜、寬恕和充滿愛的心。顯然，沒有人是因著自己的完美，而擁有天主的愛；相反，我們是被邀請去讓祂的愛來更新我們的生命，並藉著祂的愛，不斷塑造我們每天的選擇。

在第二篇讀經中，聖保祿宗徒分享了他因著基督所賜的力量，而學會了如何安然去面對，無論是富裕或艱難的生活。這爲我們也是一個很好的提醒和榜樣。我們並不需要得到生活中想要的一切，才能找到平安。當我們信賴上主時，祂就會賜給我們力量，去面對生活中的每一天；也賜下希望支持著我們不斷前行。

親愛的朋友們，上主的邀請早已向我們發出，問題在於我們將如何去回應。我們有沒有在生活中為天主留出空間？我們有沒有讓祂的愛，在我們對待家人、鄰居，以及那些需要我們關懷的人身上表現出來？當我們繼續慶祝今天的感恩祭時，讓我們祈求天主賜予我們恩寵，使我們能以開放的心接受祂的邀請，並讓我們每天的生活，得以成爲去分享天國盛宴的永恆喜樂的準備。阿們。

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Isaiah 25:6-10; Psalm 22:1-6; Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20; Matthew 22:1-14

In today’s first reading, the prophet Isaiah gives us a beautiful picture of what God has prepared for his people: a great banquet, a time when sorrow and death will be overcome and God will wipe away the tears from every face. It is a message of hope. Whatever difficulties we face in this life, God promises us something greater. He invites us to share in his joy and to live with him for ever.

In the Gospel, Jesus tells us the parable of a king who prepares a wedding feast for his son. The invitation is sent out, but some of the guests refuse to come. They are too busy with their own affairs. Others are invited, and the hall is eventually filled. The message is clear: God’s invitation is generous, and he wants everyone to share in his kingdom. But we must be willing to respond. Sometimes, even though we believe in God, we can become so caught up in our work, our worries and our daily routines that we leave little room for him.

The Gospel also speaks about the wedding garment. It reminds us that accepting God’s invitation means more than simply showing up. Our faith should make a difference in the way we live. We are called to put on, so to speak, the garment of Christ: a heart that is humble, forgiving and loving. We do not earn God’s love by being perfect, but we are invited to let his love change us and shape our choices each day.

In the second reading, Saint Paul reminds us that he has learned to live through both abundance and hardship because Christ gives him strength. This is a good reminder for us, too. We do not need to have everything in life exactly as we would like it to be before we can find peace. When we trust in the Lord, he gives us the strength to face each day and the hope to keep going.

Dear friends, the Lord’s invitation is already given to us. The question is how we respond to it. Do we make room for God in our lives? Do we allow his love to be seen in the way we treat our family, our neighbours and those who need our care? As we come to the Lord’s table today, let us ask for the grace to accept his invitation with open hearts and to live each day in a way that prepares us for the joy of his heavenly banquet. Amen.