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Whether we accept it or not, children are often seen as a reflection of their parents. It does not really matter that the parents are holy, virtuous and righteous. Evil unbridled mouths will link the two and soon the family’s good name is lost. Will our heavenly Father fair any differently? When we His children profane His name with our vile words and deeds.

In His great love and mercy, He wants to wash us clean from the filth and muck of sin that has stuck. He invites us all, saints and sinners alike to the wedding supper of the lamb. He wants to feed and nourish us, wash and clothe us with His holiness. Will we refuse? Will we turn our backs on Him? Will we remain silent in our indifference?

Jesus our Lord, our bridegroom, make us ready now to share this meal. Sign of our life in You. Amen

FIRST READING
Ezekiel 36:23–28

GOSPEL
Matthew 22:1–14

Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and the elders of the people in parables saying, “The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. A second time he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast.”’ Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then the king said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.’ The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to meet the guests he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. He said to him, ‘My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?’ But he was reduced to silence. Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’ Many are invited, but few are chosen.”

O Lord You are my Shepherd and there is nothing I shall ever want! Time and again I have wandered into darkness and could not find my way home to You; But You O Lord came seeking me out, set me on the narrow path and led me into the light of my Home. When I was weary and could not go on, You carried me over Your shoulders till I was able to walk on my own again.  I am am very familiar with Your gentle voice and when You call out to me I listen, and follow You. What have I ever done to deserve such love?

In Your great mercy Lord You call out to everyone, sinners and saints alike; so that all can make their way back to You.  Such is Your love O Lord that even if were slow to heed Your call, we are welcomed all the same in Your warm embrace.  Let me now take up my cross and be the Shepherd that you have called me to be. Teach me Your ways Lord and let me lead by Your example, so that I may be the Shepherd for others as You have been for me.

Lord You are my Shepherd, there is nothing I shall want. Amen

FIRST READING
Ezekiel 34:1–11

GOSPEL
Matthew 20:1–16

Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“The Kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. Going out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.’ So they went off. And he went out again around noon, and around three o’clock, and did likewise. Going out about five o’clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’ When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.’ When those who had started about five o’clock came, each received the usual daily wage. So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’ He said to one of them in reply, ‘My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’ Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”