Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A-2023

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Clothe Ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ

Jesus lets us know that God calls us all to his kingdom. Besides, Jesus shows us how to clothe ourselves with him, so we may be of those whom God chooses.

Today’s parable makes clear that those who accept God’s call to his kingdom must clothe themselves in a proper way. The right garb is crucial; it sets the few who are chosen apart from the many who are called.

It is clear, too, that “many” means “all.” For the call is for all those that the servants may find in the streets, good and bad. God wants to save all.

And this goes to show, too, that we cannot foil God’s call and gifts. We may turn down his call and not do right by his Son. But, for sure, God finds ways and means to make his call bear fruit and to give out his gifts.

Yes, the chief priests and the elders of the people, the leaders of worship, turn his call down. And they do not receive his Son. Yet through their transgression salvation comes to those they put down (see Rom 11, 11). To the little folks, to whom the Father makes known what he hides from the wise and the learned.

The garb to clothe ourselves with

No doubt, then, to wear the garb fit for God’s kingdom means, in essence, to stay humble. To clothe oneself with humility is to clothe oneself also with mercy, kindness, meekness, and patience. That is to say, humility brings all other virtues with it (SV.EN XII:172). And to be humble is a must for us as we deal with one another.

In other words, to clothe ourselves properly for God’s kingdom is, ironically, to get rid of our clothes as does Jesus. Though he is in the form of God, he does not regard equality with him as the thing to cling on to. Rather, he empties himself, takes the form of a slave, comes in human likeness. And human in appearance, he humbles himself and becomes obedient to death, even death on a cross. Yes, he is lowly and obedient even to the giving up of his body and the shedding of his blood. And he gets rid of what he is and has. For he puts his trust in God, who makes up in full for what he needs.

Do we clothe ourselves so with Jesus Christ? Or do we crave power, wealth and glory, and seek to suppress, persecute or oppress others?

Lord Jesus Christ, grant we truly clothe ourselves with you. Do not let us become proud, but rather let us stand in awe, aware that if God does not spare natural branches, he may well not spare grafted branches.


15 October 2023

28th Sunday in O.T. (A)

Is 25, 6-10a; Phil 4, 12-14. 19-20; Mt 22, 1-14


VERSIÓN ESPAÑOL

Revestirnos del Señor Jesucristo

Jesús da a conocer que Dios nos llama a todos a su reino. Nos enseña también Jesús a revestirnos de él, para que seamos de los escogidos.

La parábola de hoy deja claro que hemos de quitarnos la ropa ordinaria y revestirnos de modo debido. El vestido debido es decisivo; éste aparta a los pocos escogidos de los muchos llamados.

Queda claro también que «muchos» quiere decir «todos». Pues la llamada es para todos, malos y buenos, a los que hallen en los caminos los criados. Es que Dios quiere que todos se salven.

Y esto no deja de dar a conocer que la llamada y los dones de Dios no se pueden frustrar. Podemos rechazar su llamada y faltar de respeto a su Hijo. Pero Dios halla las formas y los medios para que se acepte su llamada y se repartan sus dones.

Los sumos sacerdotes, sí, y los ancianos del pueblo, los líderes del culto, se resisten a la llamada de Dios. Y no reciben a su Hijo. Mas el caerse ellos sirve para que los tenidos en poco por ellos se salven. Para que se salven, sí, los pequeños a los que les da a conocer el Padre lo que oculta a los sabios y entendidos.

El vestido debido del que hemos de revestirnos

No, no cabe duda de que el vestido digno del reino de Dios es, en esencia, el ser humilde. Revestirnos de humildad es revestirnos también de compasión, bondad, mansedumbre y paciencia. Es decir, la humildad hace nacer en el alma todas las virtudes (SV.ES XI:494). Y nos tenemos que tratar los unos a los otros con humildad.

En otras palabras, lo irónico es que revestirnos de forma digna del reino de Dios quiere decir despojarnos de nuestros vestidos. Al igual que Jesús. Él, a pesar de su condición divina, no hace alarde de su categoría de Dios. Más bien, se despoja de su rango y toma la condición de esclavo, y pasa por uno de tantos. Y así, actúa como todo hombre y se humilla hasta someterse a la muerte, y una muerte de cruz. Hasta, sí, entregar su cuerpo y derramar su sangre por todos. Se despoja de todo lo que es él y tiene. Pues se fía él de Dios que provee a todas sus necesidades con magnificencia.

¿Logramos revestirnos de Jesucristo? O, ¿es que ansiamos el poder, el dinero y la gloria, y buscamos suprimir, perseguir y oprimir a los demás?

Señor Jesús, concédenos revestirnos de ti de verdad. No dejes que nos jactemos, sino temamos más bien, mientras nos damos cuenta de que si Dios no perdona a las ramas naturales, quizá no perdonará tampoco a las ramas injertadas.


15 Octubre 2023

28º Domingo de T.O. (A)

Is 25, 6-10a; Fil 4, 12-14. 19-20; Mt 22, 1-14