Daily Catholic Lectio
Thu, 20 Aug 2026
XX Week in Ordinary Time
Eze 36:23-28. Mt 22:1-14
To Be Qualified
In Matthew’s Gospel, the word “friend” is used in three places. In Greek, the word is hetairos. It can also mean companion, colleague, or fellow worker. In the New Testament, this word is found only in Matthew.
First, in the parable of the workers in the vineyard, the landowner says, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?” The first friend does not understand the reversal made by the landowner.
Second, in today’s parable of the wedding feast, the king says, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?” The second friend receives the invitation, but does not care about the wedding garment.
Third, in the garden of Gethsemane, Judas comes to Jesus, says, “Greetings, Rabbi,” and kisses Him. Jesus says to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.” The third friend, Judas, sees Jesus until the end only as Rabbi, not as Lord.
In all three places, the word “friend” is used with a sense of contrast. It reminds the person that he is not living as the friend he is supposed to be.
Like the ending of yesterday’s parable, the ending of today’s parable also disturbs us. The king sees a man without a wedding garment and asks, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?” Then he orders him to be thrown into the outer darkness.
Those who were first invited refuse to come. They do not consider the king important. Their priorities are elsewhere. Among those who finally come to the feast, one man comes without a wedding garment. He too does not consider the king important.
Here we must understand two things.
First, it is wrong to reject the invitation. God invites us to His Kingdom. To reject this invitation is to place something else above God.
Second, it is also wrong to refuse to make ourselves worthy of the invitation. The man entered the feast, but he refused the garment given for the feast. He accepted the invitation, but he did not accept the change required by the invitation.
The “wedding garment” must be understood as a symbol. It is the symbol of a worthy life, a life made ready for the Kingdom. In Matthew’s community, there may have been a problem. Some may have thought that accepting Christian faith was enough. Matthew teaches that faith is not automatic. One must prepare oneself for the faith one has received.
To be qualified begins with small things, like wearing the wedding garment. Small things matter. Sirach says, “The one who despises small things will fall little by little.” A small neglect can become a great fall.
Faith is a gift. But making ourselves worthy of that gift is our responsibility. The invitation comes from God. The response must come from us. Grace is given freely. But grace must be received with readiness, reverence, and conversion.
In today’s first reading, through the prophet Ezekiel, God promises a new heart to the people of Israel. He says that He will remove the heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. He will put His Spirit within them and make them walk according to His statutes. Removing the old and receiving the new is also a way of becoming qualified.
The wedding garment is this new heart. It is not merely an outer dress. It is an inner transformation. Without this transformation, one may be inside the hall, but not truly part of the feast.
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
A Yesni Prays Initiative
Leave a comment