August 21, 2025 Thursday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Memorial of Saint Pius X, Pope
Daily Readings: Judges 11:29-39a; Matthew 22:1-14
One needs to be enthusiastic, but over-enthusiasm can be harmful, as it can produce negative effects. This is the story of Judge Jephthah. Moved by the Spirit of the Lord, he sets out to destroy the Ammonites. Thinking himself clever, he makes an unnecessary vow, to offer in sacrifice whoever comes out first from the door of his house to meet him upon his return. Tragically, after his victory over the Ammonites, the first to greet him is his beloved daughter. Mortified, he tears his clothes, but his daughter accepts the situation and encourages her father to fulfill his vow to the Lord. She only requests permission to wander the mountains for two months to bewail her virginity. After doing so, she returns home, allowing her father to carry out his promise. This account also hints that those who choose to remain unmarried can dedicate their lives wholly to the service of the Lord.
The parable of the wedding feast teaches that if the Jewish people reject God’s offer of salvation, He will extend it to Gentiles and others. In the parable, the king who throws the wedding feast represents God, the bridegroom is Jesus Christ, and the wedding banquet symbolizes the Kingdom of Heaven. The first invited guests are the Jews, but they are preoccupied with their farms and businesses, and some even mistreat the king’s servants, symbolizing the prophets and messengers of God. In response, the king sends his servants into the streets to invite anyone they find, representing Gentiles and all others now welcomed into God’s kingdom. However, God expects them to come properly dressed in wedding garments, symbolizing a life clothed in faith and righteousness. The man without a wedding garment represents the self-righteous or those unwilling to believe in Christ, people who reject God’s salvation.
Saint Pope Pius X is remembered for the renewal he brought to the Church, especially in the liturgy, the preparation of the New Code of Canon Law, and the active participation of the faithful in the life of the Church. He lowered the age for receiving First Holy Communion and encouraged frequent participation in it.
Call to Action: Those who participate in the Holy Eucharist should come clothed in the “wedding garment” of proper spiritual preparation, otherwise, they risk bringing condemnation upon themselves.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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