11 October 2026 – 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A

1st reading: Is 25:6–10, from Psalm 22; 2nd reading: Phil 4:12–14, 19–20; Gospel: Mt 22:1–14

On this Sunday, a great joy is proclaimed. The prophet envisions a particularly lavish banquet, attended not by a select few, but by ‘all the nations’. How is this possible? Astonishing news arrives: death, which instils such fear that it keeps people apart, is no more. The One who was to come has come: ‘Behold, this is our God; we have hoped in him for our salvation’. The news is certain, and it is not just for the people of Israel, who too will be healed of the disgrace for which they were constantly rebuked.

Jesus draws inspiration from this passage from Isaiah to formulate a parable of his own for the chief priests and the Pharisees. They are particularly in need of his attention; they are the ones who have been unable to interpret the signs presented before their very eyes in the temple: the blind have opened their eyes and the lame were leaping for joy. These were the signs foretold by the prophets for the coming of the Messiah, the one who acts in God’s name and with his power for the salvation and good of the people.

Well, the same prophet announces that this very joy will be for all peoples. Jesus had also performed signs of this kind, granting the centurion’s and the Canaanite woman’s requests, and venturing into pagan territory where he freed those possessed by demons from their affliction. Joy for the peoples is on its way, foretold and already anticipated.

Now Jesus speaks of a banquet that is ready. Can the leaders and the Pharisees bring themselves to think of the joy of the banquet foretold by Isaiah? If so, they would realise that he is speaking of the feast in which they do not wish to take part. They do not consider it important; for them, it is not a feast. They are the guests who refuse the invitation. They have other things to do. They are not interested in the king’s joy. He is hosting the banquet for his son’s wedding: he will give his life for the bride, the people of Israel. Seeing the refusal of the first guests, he sets about finding other people: he finds all those who are considered the least, unworthy, unfit to stand in God’s presence, whether because they are sinners or because they are infirm, ‘the wicked and the good’. These will rejoice at the invitation, and bring joy to the king. In his parable, Jesus shows us that they are already in the banquet hall, all ready to eat and rejoice.

What do the chief priests and the Pharisees manage to understand? They are the ones who consider themselves invited by God to enjoy the promises of the prophets. But for them these are distant matters, which will never come to pass: they see themselves as masters who need not answer to anyone for their actions. They can go about their business undisturbed, pursuing their own interests even within the temple precincts. Certainly, someone from Nazareth—even if acclaimed by those people whom they regard as accursed—does not alter their plans.

Jesus continues his parable, which is not yet at an end. The conclusion will also apply to his disciples. Among those who have entered the wedding feast, there is one who catches the eye. He has come, he has accepted the invitation, but he has refused to wear the wedding garment. Why is that? Does he refuse to change his clothes? Does he wish to remain as he is, doing nothing to be in communion with the other guests? Is his an act of pride? Does he consider himself entitled to the banquet, rather than receiving it as a free gift?

In the parable, the king is irritated by this refusal and questions the pretentious and proud man. The man cannot reply; he has no righteous reason. He is thrown out, as he is unfit for the kingdom of heaven. In this kingdom, there is room only for the humble, for those who take joy in being grateful. This will also be of use to the disciples, for they too may face temptations of pride or arrogance.

The apostle, writing to the community in Philippi, expresses his joy at the gifts he has received from them. He has never asked for anything; on the contrary, he has always been content to work for his living. Nor did he ask anything of this community with which he was particularly familiar, but now he rejoices in seeing their generosity, certain that ‘God, in turn, will meet all your needs according to his riches in glory, in Christ Jesus’. We thus see the humility of Saint Paul, who accepts financial assistance from his faithful. He bears witness to them that he has become accustomed to everything, to hunger as well as to satiety, for ‘I can do all things through him who strengthens me’. Jesus is always present in his life, in every situation, and it is he who gives value to both hunger and well-being – he himself, rejected by the chief priests of the temple. They have rejected the feast because he is a nuisance to them and they consider him useless.

We welcome you, Jesus, and we accept to be clothed in you, so that we may be pleasing to the Father and to all those whom he has called to celebrate you!

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)