Thursday 20th week Year A By Tobe Eze

Thursday 20^th week Year A

First Reading

Judges 11:29-39a

Gospel

Matthew 22:1-14

THEME: THE WILL OF GOD SHOULD BE DONE ALWAYS.

The responsorial Psalm summarized the two readings of today. If not for the responsorial Psalm, I would not have known how to interpret the two reading for they are controversial.

Taking the first reading as a case study, did Jephthah commit anything evil by promising God that he will sacrifice to him what will come out first to welcome him if he wins in the war? Why did God allow her only child to be the first to come out? Were there no animals in the house to come out?

In the gospel, what was the sin of the man who was not invited to the wedding feast and was called from the road to come? It may be presumed that he was not given chance to go and prepare for the wedding and he was punished for coming to rescue a situation.

All these are just literary interpretations of the two readings. Digging deep, we will notice that in the case of the first reading, it is to show us the length one should go in keeping the will of God. Do not allow anyone even your only child to stop you from doing the will of God. It is not a literary killing of your child but not allowing the love of your family members to take you away from the love of God. The gospel on the other side is to show us that we must be ready always for we do not know when the time will some. We should always do the will of God. We should always be with our wedding garment so that whenever the wedding feast is set, we will be ready and attend in good faith just like others who were with their wedding garments. Thanks.