LIVE IT TODAY: Thursday, August 21, 2025
I have invited you into My Kingdom—come clothed in the life I have given you.
LIVE IT TODAY: Thursday, August 21, 2025
A GREAT WAY TO BEGIN TODAY!
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GOD'S DECLARATION TO YOU TODAY
I have invited you into My Kingdom—come clothed in the life I have given you.
INVOCATION
Come, Holy Spirit! Through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother Mary, open my heart to hear and receive all that You desire for me. Draw me ever more deeply into the Love and Life of the Blessed Trinity!
GOSPEL | Matthew 22:1–14
Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and the elders of the people in parables saying, “The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come.
A second time he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast.”’ Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them.
The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.
Then the king said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.’ The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests.
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.”
EVERY DAY QUESTION
What struck you? Challenged you? Inspired you? What questions did it raise?
GOING DEEPER
The Invitation Demands a Response
This parable begins with the wide-open generosity of God—a king throwing a wedding feast for his son, a clear image of the Father preparing the eternal banquet for His Son, Jesus, and His Bride, the Church. In Jesus’ time, to reject such an invitation wasn’t merely rude; it was a declaration of rebellion against the king’s authority. This is why the king’s response is so severe. The invitation to God’s Kingdom is not a casual RSVP—it’s a summons from the Lord of heaven and earth.
We might think, “I would never ignore God’s invitation,” but every time we prioritize business, entertainment, or personal comfort over communion with Him, we do the same. The original guests had better things to do—farm, business, self-interest. In our day, those “fields and businesses” might look like endless work emails, children’s sports schedules that replace Sunday Mass, or social media scrolling that steals time meant for prayer.
Then comes the twist—everyone, good and bad alike, is welcomed. This is the scandal of grace: the undeserving are invited. But entry isn’t the end—there’s still the matter of the wedding garment. In biblical imagery, this garment represents the righteousness given to us in Christ (Isaiah 61:10; Revelation 19:8). It’s not enough to show up at the feast—we must be clothed in a life transformed by grace. To accept the invitation is to be willing to be changed.
Parents, this means that the “garments” our children wear into life are woven daily by the habits, priorities, and prayers of our home. If we want them to show up at the eternal banquet clothed in holiness, we must make our homes places where the faith is lived, spoken, and prayed over them. It’s not enough to send them to religious education; they need to see and hear the Gospel in the way we speak to each other, how we handle conflict, and how we bless them by name.
Tonight, don’t just pray for your family—pray over them in the Name of Jesus. Lay hands on them and declare: “You are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb. May you be clothed in the righteousness of Christ and ready to meet Him when He comes.”
“Baptism, the pure gift of the Lord, clothes the soul with the wedding garment of grace” (CCC 1244)
LIFE APPLICATION QUESTIONS
The RSVP: What are the “fields” or “businesses” that most often distract you from God’s invitation?
The Garment: How are you actively helping your children or those you influence to “wear” the life of Christ?
The Feast: What can you do this week to cultivate a joyful, expectant spirit for the Kingdom in your home?
FAMILY LIVE IT
Make some time today to gather together and, going around, each person share what they imagine the “wedding feast of the Lamb” will be like. Encourage joy and creativity. End by laying hands on one another and praying: “Lord Jesus, thank You for inviting us to Your feast. Clothe us in Your righteousness, and make our home a place that prepares us for Heaven.”
DAILY PARENT & GRANDPARENT BLESSING
LORD JESUS CHRIST, let Your holy anointing be upon each of our children, grandchildren, and godchildren this day and week, including all to whom they are called in vocation, and all future generations! In Your Sacred Name we claim them for You! We renounce all whispers, lies, and influences of the Enemy! We pray right now that each know Your loving Presence, be forged in virtue, and be flooded with an abundance of Your Holy Spirit to live fully their identity and mission in You now and through all eternity, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother! Amen.
PARENT BLESSING PROJECT: bit.ly/ParentBlessing
GOING VERTICAL
“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
Just as the vertical beam upholds the horizontal beam of the Cross, so too does undistracted, dedicated daily turning to God as our lifeblood uphold and strengthen every part of life. Start with just three minutes. Wait patiently for the breakthrough beyond the noise. Let Him speak.
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