28th Sunday Ordinary Time October 11, 2026

Readings: Isaiah 25:6-10a | Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20 | Matthew 22:1-14

The wisdom teachings of the Scriptures are about how to use rightly the gifts of this world so that even now we begin to live in the Kingdom of God, preparing ourselves for the world to come. The first step to the kingdom for those of us who choose to follow Christ is baptism. And the ending of today’s Gospel is probably a reference to baptism. We have to be careful to recognize that even in the early Church there was a recognition that there was the possibility of baptism by desire. Today our Catholic teachings that non-Christians can be saved seem to be an extension of this baptism by desire, recognizing that lots of people are really searching for and longing for an encounter with the living God, even though they may not be able to express this desire in any understandable way so far in their lives.

So the real condition is this longing for God, longing for divine love, longing for justice. All we have to do is think of the beatitudes. Then we must start living. Living is about learning to live well. This is what wisdom is: living well the divine life that is given to us. We should enjoy completely the gifts of this world, always using them for God’s glory. Some of us are called to live as chaste celibates—and that should never be seen as a denial of the joy of marriage or of sexuality. It is simply another call given by God to which some of us must respond.

What really makes the difference is when we are so involved in the relationship with God that all we care about is doing what He wants. Life becomes so fully alive and so filled with joy that any thought that we must give up something is transformed into the thought of what more I can do to live for my God. Let us come to the banquet of the Lord today and give thanks for His invitation to share His life. May each one of us rejoice in his or her personal call. May we all rejoice that we have been called to form this community of believers. And may we rejoice in the life given to us and use all our energies to respond to this God of love.

     “Wishing you all Wonderful Thanksgiving filled with blessings!”