28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Today’s Gospel reading is a parable about a king who invites people to his son’s wedding. None of the invited guests came to the wedding for various reasons. One went to work in the fields, another went off on business, and the rest seized the king’s servants, mistreated them, and killed them. The king in the Gospel reading represents God, and the king’s invitation symbolizes God’s call. In our daily lives, aren’t we often so busy that we forget God’s call?

Busyness is an inseparable part of our daily lives. However, let us not merely be busy; let us ensure that our individual busyness brings us closer to God. Busyness is a trial; it tests our ability to maintain a balance between work and life. While working hard is important, maintaining our happiness is just as crucial. No matter how busy you are, please do not sacrifice time with your loved ones. Time spent with them is a priceless gift—one we can only appreciate and be grateful for. Time spent with loved ones is an irreplaceable investment in our hearts. Even as time passes, those memories will live on forever.

Today’s Gospel reading concludes with stern words: “Many are called, but few are chosen.” This means that while God calls everyone, only those who respond with a transformed life are chosen to receive salvation. Therefore, we are called not only to hear God’s call but also to respond earnestly to it in our daily lives.
The church is a place where we celebrate God’s goodness in our lives. In my village, there is a belief passed down through generations: that a true life partner can only be found in “the church” and “the kitchen.” A spouse you meet in the church and the kitchen is undoubtedly a good person. Let me repeat: the church is a place where we celebrate God’s goodness in our lives. Here we find our security. Here we find true love. Here we find the resilience to face life. Here we find people who support us, empower us, help us, and encourage us.

All of us here are invited, but whether we are chosen is up to God Himself. Let us embark on this week-long journey, mindful that if we cast aside the busyness that distances us from God, we will not only be invited by God but also chosen by Him.