Title: TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR(A),11TH OCTOBER, 2026.

THE HOLY SPIRIT - OUR BEST AND GREATEST FRIEND. REMAIN READY ALWAYS WITH YOUR GARMENT OF NEW LIFE IN JESUS CHRIST. Child of God, in the parable of Jesus today, we read that,"....When the king came in to look at the guests he noticed one man who was not wearing a wedding garment and said to him, "How did you get in here, my friend, without a wedding garment?" And the man was silent. Then the king said to the attendants, "Bind him hand and foot and throw him into the darkness outside, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth."For many are invited but not all are chosen.'(Mt.22:11-14(22:1-14) Fundamentally, God created us all in his lovely Image and Likeness of Love. It is very evident in the scriptures and the teachings of the Church that He desires to share His eternal life and joy in heaven with us after our earthly lives. But that is on the condition that our lives on earth reflect his will as it is done in his kingdom in heaven. Thus, Jesus used the parable of today to express his disappointment with some Jewish leaders, the Chief Priests, the Pharisees, the Scribes,etc who believed erroneously that as the chosen people of God and the descendants of Abraham, they have automatic tickets to heaven. They turned God's calls and invitations to repentance through his Prophets down. God in his infinite love and wisdom extended the same invitation to the Gentiles and they responded well. Thus, we see that in the story of Jesus, the king made everybody, both "the good and the bad" to leave every engagement and be at his banquet without prior notice. Despite that, he was still unhappy with the man without proper uniform and ordered that he should be punished. Child of God, it is important to note that heavenly banquet is going on and we either join or miss it at the end of our time on earth that is unknown to us but always very sudden. If we bear lasting fruits of Love, Goodness, Humility, Forgiveness, kindness, Meekness, Compassion, Patience, Mercy, etc.on earth, we will join but if not, God forbid, we may miss it. That means that the more we practice these virtues on earth, the more we identify with the kingdom of God where they are lived well and where the Eternal Feast is going on. Like the earthly king spotted the man at the banquet without uniform and sent him to where he belongs, that is how those who are still wearing their clothes of old ways of life, hatred, Selfishness, unforgiving Spirit,etc at the time of death may not be allowed to join in the banquet. Therefore, though Heaven is for everybody but only those who persevered in doing the will of God till death will be part of it and it's Feast(Lk.21:19). It is very important that we remember always that while alive, God prompts or calls us daily through what we see, hear, perceive and experience, especially through his Church in diverse ways to remove our old clothes of bad lives and put on the New one of New Life in Jesus Christ. EVER LIVING AND LOVING FATHER, YOU KNOW HOW DIFFICULT IT CAN BE FOR US TO SUSTAIN OUR REPENTANCE AND RESOLVES TO LOVE AND SERVE YOU BETTER. WE PRAY THAT YOU MAY CONTINUE TO BLESS US WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND THE GRACE TO KEEP PERSEVERING WELL IN THE RIGHT PATHS OF LIFE YOU HAVE REVEALED TO US, THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD,AMEN! 🙏 Our Prayer Program last week was very successful. May God continue to protect and grant our good heart desires. Thanks for taking part in the Missionary work of Holy Ghost Fathers(Spiritans) with your supports. Forward ever and backwards never. "Do Not Be Afraid, Only Have Faith"(Mk.5:36). Be assured of our prayers and be ever grateful to God(1Thess.5:18).DO HAVE A NICE WEEK.(Fr.VIN.O.-Nwachi)