As we reflect on the readings for Feria III after the XIX Sunday after Pentecost, we are drawn into the transformative nature of Christian life, emphasizing both our renewal in Christ and the gravity of responding to God’s invitation with authentic faith.
Ephesians 4:23-28: The New Man in Christ
St. Paul urges the Ephesians to “be renewed in the spirit of your mind” (Eph 4:23) and to “put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Eph 4:24). This renewal is not superficial but requires a complete transformation, a change of heart and mind that shapes how we live, speak, and act. Paul contrasts the old self, driven by deceitful desires and sin, with the new self, fashioned in the image of God’s righteousness and holiness.
St. John Chrysostom explains that the “new man” is not merely about outward behavior but reflects an inner conversion, grounded in God’s grace. He writes, “The ‘old man’ is corrupt through deceitful lusts, but the ‘new man’ is renewed by the Spirit to bear fruits of righteousness.” This renewal is a cooperative process with divine grace, requiring the constant turning away from falsehood, wrath, and sin, and instead living truthfully and charitably (Eph 4:25-28). Chrysostom highlights that Paul’s practical exhortation to stop lying and to resolve anger reflects how Christians must live in harmony with their new nature.
Matthew 22:1-14: The Parable of the Wedding Feast
In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus offers the parable of the wedding feast, a story that unfolds layers of divine grace, human responsibility, and judgment. A king invites many guests to the wedding banquet for his son, but those who were invited reject the invitation, making light of it and going about their business. The king, angered by their rejection, invites others, both good and bad, from the streets to fill the banquet hall. Yet, when one guest appears without a wedding garment, he is cast out, illustrating the importance of being properly prepared to partake in the heavenly banquet.
St. Gregory the Great, reflecting on this parable, teaches that the wedding garment symbolizes the “habit of love,” which all Christians must wear to enter the feast. He writes, “The wedding garment is the habit of love, and not just any love, but that which springs from a pure heart, a good conscience, and faith unfeigned.” The unprepared guest without the garment represents those who have accepted the external call to the faith but have not allowed the inward transformation required to be worthy of the Kingdom of God. Gregory warns that while many are invited to the feast, only those who are clothed in righteousness—those who have truly “put on the new man”—will remain in God’s presence.
The Call to Holiness and Preparation
Together, these readings remind us of the Christian call to holiness, which is not just a matter of hearing the invitation but of responding wholeheartedly. The parable of the wedding feast emphasizes that simply being invited is not enough; we must prepare ourselves with the “wedding garment” of righteousness, reflecting the renewed spirit that St. Paul describes in Ephesians.
The Church Fathers consistently teach that while grace is freely given, we must cooperate with it by living lives of virtue, truth, and love. St. Augustine reflects on this cooperation by stating, “The grace of God does not find men fit to be chosen, but makes them so.” Our journey as Christians is about daily renewal—putting aside sin and growing in virtue, allowing the Spirit to transform our minds and hearts.
Conclusion
In the spirit of Feria III after the XIX Sunday after Pentecost, these passages remind us of the urgency of renewal and preparation. God’s invitation to the heavenly banquet is extended to all, but we must respond by putting on the “new man,” embracing the righteousness of Christ, and living out our faith with genuine love and integrity. Let us heed the call of St. Paul and the warnings of Christ in the Gospel, striving to live as faithful guests at the wedding feast, adorned with the virtues of a life renewed in God’s grace.