KL Archdiocesan Biblical Apostolate Commission

          
The ability to imagine a different future for the Church and her institutions, in keeping with the mission she has received, depends largely on the decision to initiate processes of listening, dialogue, and community discernment,  in which each and every person can  participate and contribute.

The purpose of the Synod and of  consultation, is not to produce documents, but “to plant dreams, draw forth prophecies and visions, allow hope to flourish, inspire trust, bind up wounds, weave together relationships, awaken a dawn of hope, learn from one another and create a bright resourcefulness that will enlighten minds, warm hearts, give strength to our hands.

 

Jesus often taught in parables. In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus was speaking to the Jews. Each gospel has same reality, different perspective. Jesus says something that the Jews would understand very much. Invitations were sent out for the wedding feast. There are 3 categories of people  i) special invitees, VIP’s or some people in position of authority or respect  but did not come ii) was upset those invited did not come, so go call everyone good or not so good iii) when he enters, he sees somebody without a wedding garment. This is a insult. Special  garments were given with the invitations but this man came without the garment. He could have forgotten, sold it or left it behind. Jesus was telling them, you are the chosen ones, people of Israel, you are the ones first called, the wedding feast is heaven to be with the Father, but if you don’t come, everybody will be invited so now the gospel therefore is for everybody.
For us today, what does this tell us?  Message is priority. Priority should be the call of Jesus. Priority is what Jesus wants. All are invited but you must live a life worthy. The garment is your life of worthiness, of holiness, of discipleship of Jesus. Give priority even if you are not chosen for everyone will be invited. Mt 22:1-14
   

• More than 10,000 persons in history have been declared to be a saint, that is, someone we know is in heaven. Many of them are martyrs, strictly speaking, those who have given their lives for the faith. But the 20th century had more martyrs than in the rest of the Church’s history.

• The shortest reign of a pope was for Urban VII, who lived only 13 days after his election in 1590. The longest, aside from St. Peter, was Blessed Pius IX, who died in 1878, after serving for more than 31 years.

• Anglicans and Orthodox consider themselves Catholic as well, because they profess the same Creed, which says,            “I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.”