Mt.22:1-14
Our call to live as followers of Jesus is a special gift that we have received in our life. It is a privilege because this call is not our choice and this call is extended to us as a gift. However, are we sensitive to Jesus who blessed us with this special privilege of being followers of him? Today we witness the beatification of Carlo Acutis, who expressed such sensitivity and value for his call to follow Jesus… We encounter a dazzling manifestation of holiness in the life of this young man. His parents, Mr. Andrea Acutis and Mrs. Antonia Salzano were not devout or religious people, yet Carlo grew in holiness as a sign for his times. Childhood onward Carlo had a great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary that he expressed through his daily recitation of the rosary. After his first Holy Communion, Carlo frequented the Holy Eucharist and made it a point to regularize the reception of the sacrament of reconciliation once a week.
Carol’s Eucharistic devotion was unparalleled. He used to share with his companions: “The more often we receive the Eucharist, the more we will become like Jesus so that on this earth we will have a foretaste of heaven.” Carlo was like any of his peers passionate about computer gaming and programming. Anyhow, Carlo channelized his passion for the greater glory of Jesus. His commitment to Jesus is revealed on the website that he designed to make Jesus known by cataloging the Eucharistic miracles all around the world. When Carlo was down with deadly leukemia, he accepted it wholeheartedly and offered his suffering for the intentions of the Church, Holy Father, and all those who are suffering in different parts of the world. On 12 October 2006, at the age of 15, this little saint said goodbye to this mortal world to continue his mission from heaven.
His sanctity made a great impact on everyone including his mother that they started to frequent the church. He was buried in Assisi, as he wished. His process of canonization began in 2013 and was raised as venerable in 2018. Recently, the entire world was amazed at Carlo’s sanctity by witnessing and experiencing his incorrupt body, the greatest miracle of our time. A boy who received the Holy Eucharist most worthily remained intact, overcoming the corruption caused by human sin. Treasuring the words of Jesus in his heart Carlo lived a life pleasing to Jesus. His sanctity is the sanctity of our times, a sanctity that can be imitated. The greatest virtue that we observe in Carlo is his sensitivity towards the person of Jesus. He responded positively to Jesus’ invitation to partake in his spiritual banquet.
In today’s gospel, Jesus presents the parable of the wedding banquet. We encounter a very disappointing scene of the invitees turning their back for the banquet. The king sends the servants to remind them about the banquet but they were indifferent towards the king. They had their own business. None of them were sensitive enough to the host; they remained indifferent and immersed in their own business. In the end, the king welcomes strangers to the banquet they were not called beforehand, however, one man comes without the wedding dress and he was thrown out of the wedding banquet.
Jesus shares this parable in the context of the stubbornness of the people of Israel. They were chosen from all the other races as the beloved people of Yahweh. The wedding feast indicates their special privilege. However, they take this privilege for granted and not responding to this immense love. They remained unfaithful to Him by worshipping other gods. Yet the merciful God sent his prophets to call them back to this privilege of being the chosen people. But they did not heed to His plea. They remained stubborn. Later, we see gentiles are welcomed to the banquet. Though they are not worthy, God’s grace makes them worthy of this banquet. Nevertheless, a man comes without a wedding garment and he was expelled to darkness, indicates the fact that we can’t take for granted His invitation to be the partakers of the banquet because we need to co-operate with God’s grace and to put on Christ in our day to day life situations.
As we continue our faith journey, we need to develop this spiritual sensitivity to God by being responsible and responsive to the presence of God in our life. We need to prioritize Jesus in our lives. The life witness of Carlo inspires us to develop this belonging to Christ. Like any youngsters of his time, he could have very well given priority for so many other enjoyments. Even though being immersed in the world, yet Carlo remained sensitive to Jesus. He used all that God had given him his life, time, talents for the greater glory of God, and today we are sure that Carlo is enjoying the heavenly banquet of meeting Jesus face to face… May his holiness inspire all of us…