Welcome to St Wilfrid's Parish in the Heart of Preston

'Invite to the wedding feast as many as you find’

Today we’re shown a foretaste of salvation and how God desires the inclusion of everyone.

In the Gospel, the parable of the Wedding Banquet shows God’s eagerness to offer salvation to all, yet how easily all kinds of reasons can get in the way of our response.

The prophet Isaiah (First Reading) affirms that the enemies of humanity – death and despair – will be overcome.  The Lord will provide an abundant banquet for all, of every nation.  It is a scene echoed in the Psalm, which shows a shepherd overcoming death and preparing a banquet for his flock.

St Paul intimately knows Christ, the Good Shepherd of the Psalm and, though writing from a Roman prison, he wants for nothing (Second Reading).  His secret is that his consolation rests not with external circumstances but with Christ.  Through Christ’s strength and presence, Paul can live with much or little and endure any hardship or persecution.

This week, let’s pray that we feel ever more strongly the presence of Christ and, by doing all things through his strength, we might willingly share the troubles of others. Amen.

(With thanks to St Beuno's Outreach)

ARTWORK

Gospel - Matthew 22:1-14

The Parable of the Wedding Feast

Dionisius - Russian Orthodox Fresco 1502

Ferapontov Monastery, Russia

To see more of the beautiful frescos of Dionisius click here to take a tour of the the Ferapontov Monastery on YouTube.