AUGUST 20 2026 FATHER CHRIS LEMIEUX
One of the most beautiful images Jesus offers us of Heaven isn’t a courtroom or a classroom, but a wedding feast, a wedding banquet. Most of us are on the same page that weddings are joyful experiences. Celebrations filled with joy and love and family and welcome.
In our gospel today, Jesus tells a story of a king who prepares a magnificent wedding feast for his son. Everything’s ready to go. The tables are set. The delicious food’s been prepared. The invitations have gone out and yet, surprisingly, many refused to come. Some too busy, others indifferent, and we even hear that others react with hostility. Such a heartbreaking response to such a generous invitation.
So, the king does something unexpected. He invites others. He sends his servants out to invite anyone and everyone they can find. Good and bad, the gospel tells us.
And friends, the beautiful image that we reflect upon here today in the way of this invitation and the way that this invitation is phrased is that we are invited into a special place with God. Not because we deserved it or earned it, but because God wants us with Him. Heaven’s that ultimate wedding banquet and no one earned it. None of us comes to the Lord because we’ve earned our place. We come because He’s invited us. His mercy reaches saints and sinners alike. And God’s ultimate desire is that every seat at His banquet be filled.
Friends, some of us tune into this TV mass because we’re no longer able to attend mass because of illnesses or age or other physical limitations. Many of us are missing our parish community terribly. I know that some of my own parishioners are watching mass from home for these reasons. And we miss you, too. Maybe you’re wondering if you have a place, if you still have a place, and the answer is that you very much do. The Lord hasn’t forgotten any of us. He hasn’t forgotten you and His invitation has never been withdrawn.
Every day, He continues to prepare a place for us, a place for you. Not only at the heavenly banquet one day, but even now. He comes and meets you in prayer and through His word, through those who care for you and love you, and this celebration of the Eucharist. Even when we can’t physically be present in church, the Lord is spiritually present with us, with you, drawing close to your heart.
This is the image of the king. Of God, whom Jesus reveals to us today.
In our first reading, we hear from Ezekiel helps us to understand why God’s invitation is just so powerful. God promises, “I will sprinkle clean water upon you. I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you.” God doesn’t simply ask us to become better people on our own or by our own efforts. He promises us that if we are faithful and sincere, He will renew us. Renew our hearts and renew our souls.
And friends, this is the Christian life. It’s God’s work before it’s ours. Grace comes first. God changes us from the inside out. That is transformation.
And so, we reflect upon that at the end of today’s gospel with a person who’s arriving without a wedding garment. The wedding garment isn’t an expensive piece of clothing or expensive clothing or social status, or something in our outward appearance. The garment is the life of grace. Accepting and wearing to the best of our ability the new heart that God desires to give us. It’s allowing ourselves to be clothed with Christ.
Friends, God invites every one of us exactly as we are, but He loves us too much to leave us exactly as we are. He invites us into a relationship that will always transform us.
Today, we also remember St. Bernard of Clairvaux, one of the Church’s great saints and spiritual teachers. St. Bernard often spoke of God’s love. Not as something to be feared, but as something that draws us closer to Him. He once wrote that the measure of God’s, of a loving God is to love Him without measure. He didn’t say this to make us feel guilty for not measuring up, but because he knew that the more that we discover how deeply God does indeed love us, the more naturally our own heart’s love in return. Everything begins with God’s love.
And so, as we gather around this altar today, let us allow Jesus to address us personally, to speak to us personally. The king is still preparing the feast and the invitation still stands.
If you feel forgotten, there’s a place for you. If you carry regrets from the past and your life, you’re invited. If you think that you don’t belong, well, you do, and you’re invited. Friends, come with a heart that you have today and ask Jesus to make it new.
For God delights in welcoming us, His children, and clothing us with His grace. Preparing us for the eternal wedding feast that is Heaven, where every tear will be wiped away, every wound healed, and every faithful heart will finally rejoice in the presence with Christ and with God forever. May God bless you.
