Are You Disappointed? Thank God!

Gospel Reflection for October 15, 2023 - Matthew 22:1-14

And Jesus answering, spoke again in parables to them, saying:

The kingdom of heaven is likened to a king, who made a marriage for his son.

And he sent his servants, to call them that were invited to the marriage; and they would not come.

Again he sent other servants, saying: Tell them that were invited, Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my calves and fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come ye to the marriage.

But they neglected, and went their own ways, one to his farm, and another to his merchandise.

And the rest laid hands on his servants, and having treated them contumeliously, put them to death.

But when the king had heard of it, he was angry, and sending his armies, he destroyed those murderers, and burnt their city.

Then he saith to his servants: The marriage indeed is ready; but they that were invited were not worthy.

Go ye therefore into the highways; and as many as you shall find, call to the marriage.

And his servants going forth into the ways, gathered together all that they found, both bad and good: and the marriage was filled with guests.

And the king went in to see the guests: and he saw there a man who had not on a wedding garment.

And he saith to him: Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? But he was silent.

Then the king said to the waiters: Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the exterior darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

For many are called, but few are chosen. (Matthew 22:1-14 DRA)

“If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” (C.S. Lewis)

The readings for this Sunday provide a perfect opportunity to engage one of the senses of Scripture I mentioned in a previous reflection, namely the anagogical or eschatological sense, connecting the literal words of the Sacred Writers to the invisible supernatural realm and to the End Times. The Apocalypse of St. John illustrates the fulfillment of the prophecy from Isaias in our first reading: “For the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne, shall rule them, and shall lead them to the fountains of the waters of life, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” (Rev 7:17) This Lamb, who is Christ the Lord identified by St. John the Baptist, (Jn 1:29) is shown later in the Apocalypse to be God Himself, whose Second Coming is the fulfillment of all justice, the correction of all evil and the joy of man’s eternal desiring in the New Heavens and New Earth and the possession of the Beatific Vision: “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and death shall be no more, nor mourning, nor crying, nor sorrow shall be any more, for the former things are passed away. And he that sat on the throne, said: Behold, I make all things new.” (Rev 21:4-5)

But this promised hope of perfect happiness in God, made impervious to any scheme of sin whose power will be banished forever, is at this time only a hope – a certain and saving hope in Christ, but still just a hope. Christ has already won the victory and has gone ahead to prepare a place for us in Heaven, but we still must live in this present darkness, this vale of tears, suffering under the inherited exile of our first parents. The parable of Our Lord in the Gospel gives an image of this condition. We are summoned to what the Apocalypse calls “the marriage supper of the Lamb.” (Rev 19:9) In the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, we are given a foretaste and participation in this Heavenly Liturgy, united by grace with Christ in the Eucharist which He “consummated” on the Cross. (Jn 19:30)

We are thus called by the Divine Bridegroom to prepare ourselves for this wedding, to maintain the white wedding garment we received at Baptism, by which Christians “have washed their robes, and have made them white in the blood of the Lamb”, (Rev 7:14) clean and spotless from any stain of sin, renewing our baptismal grace through the Sacrament of Confession so as to avoid the eternal damnation of the wedding guest found unprepared and soiled by the adultery of sin. Nevertheless, until that time, we must wait, our fidelity proven through suffering and the charity with which we draw others to Christ.

This can seem to be a sad state of affairs, one which causes many to consider Catholicism a “depressing” or “negative” religion. For this reason, many today prefer the Prosperity Gospel, with its promises of worldly success and contentment, or the worldly idols of wealth and fame, or the demonic powers of the occult through New Age practices. Even the world-negating philosophies of the East can seem to be a preferable alternative to a life of redemptive suffering and charitable self-sacrifice with no hope of true happiness in this life, in which we are constantly reminded of the weight of sin every time we see a Crucifix or confess our own sins to God through the ministry of His priests. The humility, courage and patience of the Catholic life can seem almost unbearable amidst all of the terrible disappointments and tragedies of life.

However, the truth is, if we feel this pang of disappointment that Christ has not yet returned, that this fleeting world can never satisfy us and that the justice and peace for which we hunger and thirst will never be achieved by our own power, we should be grateful! God has given us a great gift indeed. The true torture of life, the ultimate misery and despair is not this kind of disappointment. Rather, it is the belief that life can truly satisfy us, that it is possible to have enough pleasures, distractions, friends or possessions to bring full and lasting happiness.

The majority of people, by animal instinct, seek this happiness. Some delude themselves that they have found it; others, failing to find it, seek it through immoral means, such as drugs or promiscuity. Some will finally realize that it is only an illusion, plummeting them into a despair which seems unfathomable. Only those who, through accepting God’s grace, recognize Christ as the exclusive source of happiness will be able and eager to accept life’s pains as our own individual crosses, preparing us for the apocalyptic joy of the return of the Bridegroom at the consummation of time. So, if you have found this great truth, thank God!

Today is the Feast of St. Teresa of Ávila, Doctor of the Church. May her life of prayer and mysticism inspire us to cooperate with God’s grace in building up the interior castle of faith, hope and love in our hearts, ascending to the Divine Bridegroom through contemplation as we faithfully await His return.

Never exaggerate, but express your feelings with moderation.

Never affirm anything unless you are sure it is true.

Always think of yourself as everyone's servant; look for Christ Our Lord in everyone and you will then have respect and reverence for them all.

Reflect upon the providence and wisdom of God in all created things and praise Him in them all.

Never compare one person with another: comparisons are odious.

Accustom yourself continually to make many acts of love, for they enkindle and melt the soul.

Be gentle to all and stern with yourself. (Maxims of St. Teresa)