God adorns us with the righteousness of Christ
By Msgr. John Wynand Katende
Posted on: Friday 9th October 2026
It is a given that all people on earth celebrate weddings, involving an elaborate dress code. The bride, adorned with an elegant white garment, would be the central figure of attraction. In Jewish tradition, a white wedding garment symbolizes purity, humility, and spiritual renewal.
In Matthew 22:1-14, Jesus tells a story of a wedding banquet at which one guest was thrown out due to lack of a wedding garment. Jesus intended to explain the Kingdom of Heaven, God's judgment, and the true nature of righteousness, cautioning against complacency. Complacency is an uncritical satisfaction with oneself or the status quo.
In its original context, Jesus primarily addressed the parable to the Jewish religious leaders, who, though they had rejected Him as the promised Messiah, felt entitled to be guests at the wedding feast. In the parable, they are represented by the guest who shows up without the appropriate wedding attire and is turned away. In ancient times, a generous host would provide his invited guests with a white robe at the entrance of the venue.
In Christianity, the wedding garment would be the baptismal garment, symbolizing the righteousness of Christ (Galatians 3:27). Simply being outwardly counted as a member of the Church and showing up at Mass is not enough. Christians are exhorted to keep their spiritual baptismal garment clean through continuous repentance, prayer, charity, and mercy, which truly reflect one’s baptismal dignity and duty.
Jesus ends the parable declaring that “For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). The chosen ones would be the sinners Jesus has saved, following their response to the gospel. In essence, God transfers a person’s sin to Jesus and Jesus’ righteousness. St. Paul tells us that “this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (Romans 3:22).
In Christian theology, during the celebration of the Mass, time and eternity intersect as the earthly liturgy joins with the heavenly worship of angels and saints. Holy Communion is a true foretaste of the heavenly banquet because it unites believers directly with Jesus Christ and anticipates eternal life.
At every Mass, the priest invites “Happy are those invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb”, derived from the Book of Revelation 19:6-9. Jesus Christ is the Groom, and the Church is the Bride. Paul admonishes against receiving Holy Communion in an unworthy manner; without proper reverence and repentance, thus making one guilty of profaning the body and blood of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:27-30). One should, hence, reflect on one's motives, actions, and relationship with God and neighbor before partaking.
However, feeling spiritually weak or imperfect is not "unworthiness" that bars one from the altar; rather, the Eucharist serves as spiritual medicine for the repentant soul. The Church encourages regular and worthy reception of Holy Communion, because it deepens sanctifying grace and fosters an intimate spiritual bond not only with Christ, but with the entire Church. (St. Thomas Aquinas). In a wider context, in His generosity, God invites everyone to a great heavenly banquet of love, grace, and salvation, but we must respond with a life in complete acceptance of His mercy.