In today’s first reading from the book of Isaiah, we hear about God’s wonderful invitation to a glorious banquet. Most scholars believe that this reading from Isaiah was written around the time of the Babylonian exile when the people of Israel needed a message of hope and promise. Throughout Scriptures, the mountain is often a symbol of a special place where people encounter God. So, this mountaintop feast is a powerful foreshadowing of God’s heavenly kingdom and the eternal communion that is promised between God and humanity. We hear this invitation from God echoed in our Gospel reading today, of a king inviting the people to his son's wedding banquet.
It is God’s grace that will help us get ready to accept this invitation. But what do we really mean when we talk about God’s grace at work within us?
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, grace is the free and undeserved help that God gives us to respond to his call to become his children, his adoptive sons and daughters. He invites us to a life of holiness and to eternal life with him. Through baptism, we participate in the grace of Christ, God’s beloved son and the head of the Church. Through this grace, we participate in life with God.
We have all been invited to God's banquet and to participate in God’s kingdom. This invitation is not just for those who have their act together and have been devout in practicing their faith. Even if we have wandered away from the path of faith. Even if we have not confessed our sins. Even if we have doubts. Even if we are struggling on journey. God invites us to the banquet.
Even though we all are invited, in order to accept this invitation, we are called to follow Jesus as his disciples. This is where God’s grace can help us. Again, according to the Catechism, God’s freely given invitation requests our response out of the freedom God gives us. Through his grace that assists us, we can know God and love God and we enter into communion with him. This grace comes out of God’s divine power.
Last weekend, we celebrated the weekend Masses for Respect Life Sunday. The theme this year for Respect Life Month is Mary, the Mother of Life, which is very appropriate as the month of October is also a special month dedicated to Mary and to the praying of the rosary. The Archangel Gabriel appeared to Mary in the Annunciation, telling her that she would conceive and bear a son. Through God’s grace working in her life, Mary responded with her acceptance of God’s plan for her, “May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Mary conceives Christ in her womb. She becomes the mother of God. In becoming Jesus’ mother, Mary becomes the mother of life. Her acceptance of something she could not have foreseen demonstrates how each of us is called welcome the gift of human life, even when that gift is unexpected or involves sacrifices. We see God’s grace at work in Mary and the way she lives out her journey of faith.
God’s grace leads us to be pro-life as Catholics, an important part of our faith. Being pro-life is a big part of the Knights of Columbus, which is something I very much appreciate. Each year, they help our parish raises money to support pro-life organizations. This year we donated to organizations that support the unborn and women who are expecting a child, such as Born Free New Beginnings at Catholic Charities, the Center for Pregnancy Choices, and Birthright of Jackson. We also supported the Missionary Childhood Association, which is a part of the Catholic Church’s pontifical mission societies; The Arc of Mississippi, which supports children and adults with cognitive, intellectual, and developmental challenges; and the life skills program at Clinton High School. I am glad we are supporting different pro-life programs that touch on the different aspects of being pro-life. It is not just one issue, nor is it just centered on one stage of human life.
Earlier this year, some of my inmates at the state prison in Pearl approached me about forming a Knights of Columbus group at the prison. This initiative came from them. The were very sincere about wanting to become affiliated with the Knights and learning from them. The inmates themselves selected 15 men who they thought were dedicated to the Catholic faith to be a part of this initial group. They already have a waiting list of another 15 men ready to join us when we can expand that group. Isn’t that amazing?! Last Monday, Franz Barnes and Chris Callegan came out to talk to them about the Knights and their core principles of fraternity, charity, patriotism, and unity. Chris and Franz spoke about the Knights and their activities. The men shared about themselves and their journey of being Catholic. God’s grace is there on our entire journey of faith, through our ups and downs, accompanying us and helping us along the way. The Knights are going to come out once a month to accompany these inmates on their journey, which is a blessing and a grace from God.
As we have been mentioning, we have a lot going on in the Catholic Church. It is the month dedicated to Mary and to praying the Rosary. It is the month of World Missions and Respect Life month too. Just this past week at our parishes, we have had adoration and the Young at Heart group and the healing Mass and two funerals. We have different sessions of the Search video series going on. We have celebrations with Father McGing and his family this weekend to celebrate his birthday. Where is God’s grace leading you in the practice of the values of our Catholic faith, in connecting with your parish community, in learning more about your Catholic faith, and in reaching out to your neighbor? May God’s grace lead you and guide you.
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