Daily Catholic Lectio. Thu, 21 Aug ’25. They made light of it

Daily Catholic Lectio

Thu, 21 August ‘25

Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time, Thursday

Saint Pius X, Pope – Memorial

Judges 11:29-39a. Matthew 22:1-14

They Made Light of It

1. Rejecting God’s Invitation

Scripture: In Jesus’ parable of the wedding banquet, many invited guests “made light of it” and refused to come (Matt 22:5). They preferred their own fields and business to the king’s feast. Similarly, Jephthah in Judges placed more trust in his rash vow than in God’s mercy, which led to tragedy (Judg 11:30–39).

Church’s Teaching: The Catechism (CCC 2094) warns against indifference to God—treating Him as secondary is itself a sin.

Pastoral Application: God invites us daily through prayer, sacraments, and service. When we “make light of it,” we reject not just an event but the King Himself. What excuses do we give that silence His call?

2. Failing to be Worthy of the Invitation

Scripture: One man entered the banquet without a wedding garment and was cast out (Matt 22:12-13). The garment represents the life of grace that must clothe all who share in God’s feast. Baptism gives us the white robe of faith, but we must live worthily of it.

Church’s Teaching: Vatican II (Lumen Gentium 11) describes the Eucharistic banquet as both gift and responsibility: we must be purified to partake. Saint Pius X, the “Pope of the Eucharist,” opened frequent communion, especially to children, but also called for hearts prepared in humility and faith.

Pastoral Application: Our cassocks, habits, or white garments are symbols. What matters is living the life they signify. Do I wear the robe of grace only outwardly, or do I let it shape my daily life in holiness, charity, and simplicity?

3. Small Neglects, Great Falls

Scripture: Jephthah’s rash words brought devastating consequences. Sirach warns, “Whoever despises small things will fall little by little” (Sir 19:1). So too, the refusal to wear the garment seems a “small” neglect, but it led to exclusion from the feast.

Church’s Teaching: The saints remind us that holiness begins in fidelity to small duties. Saint Pius X himself modelled simplicity: he lived humbly, defended the faith with courage, and taught the faithful that closeness to the Eucharist transforms life.

Pastoral Application: Neglecting prayer, charity, or truth in small matters slowly empties our lives of grace. God asks not for grand vows, but for daily fidelity—clothing ourselves in humility, mercy, and Eucharistic love.

Conclusion

The wedding banquet is open to all, yet it demands both acceptance of the invitation and readiness to live worthily. Saint Pius X teaches us that the garment of grace is renewed in the Eucharist, where Christ clothes us with His own life. Let us not “make light” of His offer, but receive it with joy, humility, and faith.

In sum, today’s Gospel warns us not to “make light” of God’s invitation. Some refused to come, and one entered without a wedding garment—both showed disregard for the King. The first reading shows how Jephthah’s rashness led to tragedy, reminding us that faith requires trust, not empty vows. Saint Pius X, the Pope of the Eucharist, teaches us that the true wedding garment is a life shaped by humility, holiness, and love of the Eucharist.

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy