MEMORIAL ST BERNARD, ABBOT AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH THURSDAY OF THE TWENTIETH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, AUGUST 20, 2026

MASS READINGS:

Gospel

Matthew 22:1-14

Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and the elders of the people in parables saying, “The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. 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.”’ 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. Then the king said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. 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. But when the king came in to meet the guests he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. He said to him, ‘My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?’ But he was reduced to silence. Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’ Many are invited, but few are chosen.”

REFLECTION

"Many are invited, but few are chosen.”

As a teenager growing up we would have get togethers in someone's driveway, tables filled with chips, snacks and sodas. Those days were the simple pleasures, strong friendships, and unforgettable memories. We found joy in each others company. Eventually there would be dancing all out in the open, having memorized the words sung by the Beatles, the Kinks, Aretha Franklin and many more. We would eventually have "sing alongs". The joy we experienced grew from human connection, friendship, and gratitude.

Favorite songs and treasured memories still bring a smile to my face. Every get together introduced us to new friends all wanting to have good clean fun. The hostess did the invites, many would come but a fair share never showed up. Many could not come because of other obligations, responsibilities, did not think we were cool enough to hang out with, never responded nor acknowledged the invite and so eventually we never had the opportunity to meet them.

Few of us had driveways decent to have dance parties but our memories were filled with simple moments, no matter where we met. All who went knew that they would have good clean fun.

The King in today's Gospel prepared a wedding banquet for his son. Many refused the invitation for numerous reasons; therefore, many more were invited, both good and bad, so that the hall would be filled. God pursues us in like manner. He knows that we will thoroughly enjoy the banquet, invites all by His desire to draw us into a loving relationship with Him. But can you have a relationship if one does not engage? Have we been invited and refused to respond or even show up to His banquet?

St Bernard of Clairvaux or the "Doctor of Divine Love", taught that christian life is not about fear or obligation but about God's love and his desire to have us find rest in Him. He does not force Himself on us, we hear His call and we are the ones who will choose to prepare, change and enter His eternal wedding feast. Seek joy, seek happiness!!

Choose Life, Choose Christ .

God Bless You.