Today’s Gospel, “The Parable of the Wedding Feast,” is similar to last week’s in its fundamental message: the Lord calls all people (Jews and Gentiles alike) to change their hearts and follow Him. In today’s parable, Jesus is addressing the leaders of the Jewish community. He knows there is growing animosity towards Him and His message. The parable relays how a king sends his servants to invite guests to a wedding feast for his son. The invitation is rejected, but worse, the second attempt was met by violence and even led to the servants’ deaths. The enraged king destroyed the city of the perpetrators (probably alluding to the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem near 70 AD). Finally, the king sends servants out to the “main roads” to invite anyone they can find. We are told “they found bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests.” However, one guest was without a wedding garment and the king had him bound and cast out. Jesus concludes the parable with this statement, “Many are invited but few are chosen.” How are we to understand this parable? The first part is apparent: God invites all of us to his heavenly feast, but not all of us accept His invitation of grace and love. But God’s part is only one part of salvation. The rest is up to us. The generous king (our Lord) throws a magnificent feast to which we are all invited. Yet, it is our free choice to accept the invitation. We must have also prepared ourselves to attend by putting on our required “wedding garment." This special garment is the new, clean soul we put on in Baptism and restore in the sacrament of Reconciliation. This new soul shines out brighter than light when we receive the Eucharist. It is our participation in Christ’s Church. But Jesus also reminds us in this parable that consequences result for those invited who refuse His calling. Will we accept or refuse the invitation? Will we be worthy to attend the wedding feast in heaven? No one knows the day or the hour when we will be called to account for our response to the invitation. Will we be ready?