First Reading Isaiah 25:6–10a
Psalm Psalm 23:1–6
Second Reading Philippians 4:12–14, 19–20
Gospel Matthew 22:1–14
On his recent apostolic visit to France, on Saturday, September 26, 2026, the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, celebrated a Holy Mass at the Place de la Concorde in Paris, The Vatican News estimated that approximately 700,000 pilgrims attended Holy Mass. We can be sure that among those who attended the Pope’s Mass were both Catholics and non-Catholics. Those pilgrims remind us of today’s Gospel, where all are invited to the marriage feast prepared by the Heavenly Father.
Every person from every nationality is invited to take part in the marriage feast where Jesus Christ, the Son of God is the Bridegroom, and the Church is the Bride. Isaiah 25:6 underlines that the Lord of hosts shall make a feast for all people on the mountain. The prophet goes on to announce another piece of good news: that the Lord is going to wipe away every tear from every face and remove the disgrace of His people (cf. Isaiah 25:8).
While we rejoice and celebrate with all those who respond positively to God’s invitation, we however, continue to mourn as there are many other children of God who turn away the invitation to take part at the feast prepared by the Heavenly Father. Secularism remains the elephant in the room. There are many, today who think and believe that God has no place in their lives and that gospel values mean nothing. Other people cannot respond positively because they are busy exploiting the natural resources of this planet earth yet the inhabitants of those particular countries are reeling in poverty. Still today, there are world leaders who continue to perpetuate armed conflicts causing untold suffering to many innocent people. Yet, today, the door of diplomacy remains open, inviting warring parties to heed the universal call for peace.
As technological advancement is growing, Artificial intelligence (AI) is falling into some irresponsible hands who use it without listening to the voice of God. God is being sidelined. Recently Pope Leo XIV issued an encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, where he exhorts us to use artificial intelligence responsibly while upholding the dignity of every human person.
The Gospel concludes with King noticing that among those who were called from streets, there was one who did not put on the wedding garment. St Gregory the Great says “The marriage is the wedding of Christ and his Church, and the garment is the virtue of charity: a person who goes into the feast without a wedding garment is someone who believes in the Church but does not have charity” (In Evangelia homiliae, 36). As we gather into the wedding hall where Jesus Christ is the Bridegroom and the Church being his Bride, let us put on the appropriate wedding gown of charity and righteousness.
May our Mother Mary pray for us.