Because without the proper “wedding garments” - You are not getting in

Today at Holy Mass in the Gospel of St Luke, Jesus tells us a story about a party that is prepared and how all the people who were invited make excuses why they cannot come….The party had all the “things” people like…good food, choice wine, etc…But for some reason, people did not attend…Why? - Does that make any sense?….Let’s explore that “reason” why people refused to come…Because its the same reason people refuse to live as a Catholic today…..In order to “attend” this party, we are required to live a certain way - To live under the authority of another - To live a life of personal sacrifice to God and neighbor….This is the “ticket” to admittance to “this party” - And people during Jesus time and today - ARE NOT HAVING IT as we say in New Jersey…….Then people rationalize their decision, convincing themself that they can attend “the party” on their terms - We are told in another parable that this is nothing more then a self deception…..”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”….No matter “how smart” we think we are - The human mind has a way to deceive itself as a means of self preservation - The “collective we” all want the good things of life - A good marriage - Lasting Peace - Deep Joy and in the end go to heaven…Then comes a man who tells you how to get all those things - Even invites you to “the party” - The “door is wide open”…And the “collective we” balk at the invitation……”But one by one, they all began to excuse themselves. The first said to him, ‘I have purchased a field and must go to examine it; I ask you, consider me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have purchased five yoke of oxen and am on my way to evaluate them; I ask you, consider me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have just married a woman, and therefore I cannot come”…….In the end, who loses out in this story?……Humanity “trades in” heaven for a "hand full of dust" here on earth - And then convinces himself that it does not matter and when he dies, he still will be allowed into the Kingdom of God - Today’s Gospel addresses that misconception - Maybe better put, this self rationalization………IT DOES NOT WORK THAT WAY!……The “ticket” into “the party” needs to be "stamped" - “No stamp” means you do not enter

“As he drew near, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If this day you only knew what makes for peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes”

The doors of the Catholic Church are OPEN to all….You do not even have to believe in God to attend Mass - Did you know that?….You can be a thief and attend Mass - You can have an extra marital affair on your wife of twenty years and attend Mass - You can be involved in a same sex marriage and attend Mass…ALL ARE WELCOME!!!!…Did you know that?…..But here is the “line in the sand”….Only if you are in state of grace can you receive the Blessed Sacrament at Holy Mass…This is a perennial teaching of the Church - NO ONE can change that - Not the even the Pope…But if you have a “keen eye and ear” you will notice how people, Catholics no less of all walks of life, “dance around” this perennial and unchangeable teaching…….”Anyone who desires to receive Christ in Eucharistic communion must be in the state of grace. Anyone aware of having sinned mortally must not receive communion without having received absolution in the sacrament of penance  - Catechism (CCC #1415)”………Is there a police officer with a gun who enforces this requirement at Mass?…No - But but here is “the deal” - God sees everything - God also knows everything…..”For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light”…As we all know - Jesus subjected himself to torture and death because of the sins of humanity….So their is NOTHING humans can do that really shocks Christ - “He has seen it all”…..And Jesus is a “big boy” - Meaning - He can “take it”….We as human beings cannot “throw at Jesus anything he cannot handle”….All that being said - No one is “fooling” anyone!…The Church teaches what it teaches and if we want to receive the  Blessed Sacrament, which is NEEDED to provide grace to live out our life as a Catholic and ultimately enter into eternal life - We need to have the proper “wedding garments” on in order to enter “the wedding feast”…No garment - No entrance!…The only “fool” is us if we “think” other wise  - Because without the proper “wedding garments” - You are not getting in…….JMJ

‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in here the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ The servant reported, ‘Sir, your orders have been carried out and still there is room.’ The master then ordered the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedgerows and make people come in that my home may be filled. For, I tell you, none of those men who were invited will taste my dinner.’”