Everybody likes to attend a wedding feast. Isn’t it one of the most joyful celebrations we can be part of? I remember being part of my sister’s wedding. When the Mass was over, there was the banquet line being set up by the wedding planner. Since my brother-in-law’s mother was a widow, and thus standing all alone in the wedding line, I asked her if she would like me to be her partner as we walked into the banquet hall. One person teasingly commented, “Father, you have a nice-looking person with you; is that your wife?” And I said in reply: “Can’t be. I’m an unwed father!” Isn't it true that weddings bring out the joyful spirit within us? We can relax, have fond memories, enjoy great food, and even tease one another as I did that gentleman who teased me in the banquet line. In this Sunday’s first and third readings, there is mention of wedding banquets. Isaiah talks about being at God’s Kingdom as one would be at a wedding feast. “The Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines.” God will even destroy death as His wedding gift to His people. In the Gospel Jesus teaches about the Kingdom of God once again using a parable: “The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son.” What this is telling me is that God is a God of joy! He created weddings and wedding feasts to show us that He is joyful and wants us to be the same as well. Even Jesus attended wedding feasts when He was on earth in human form. Joy is not about jumping around and making noise. It is a virtue which has its foundation in faith. People can enjoy themselves not only at weddings, but at other encounters with family, friends, and welcoming new people. However, Jesus knew that not everyone got the message. Some folks really don’t know what life is all about. Instead, they choose bitterness, resentment, and envy as a way of life. In today’s Gospel these men ignored the invitation of God to live life joyfully, and instead chose violence, hatred, and resentment. Do we not see people like this in the world today? The way we can be sure that we say “yes” to God’s invitation to live joyfully, is to wear our “wedding garment.” Unlike the men in the Gospel who refused to wear theirs, ours is our baptismal garment, given to us when we were vested in white robes. ~ Fr. John