Episode 3129: Called to the Banquet: Sent to the Cross not the Temple - Morning Episode

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Book Recommendation of the Day
Letters of St. Paulinus of Nola, translated and annotated by P. G. Walsh
• Vol. I (Letters 1–22) and Vol. II (Letters 23–51)
• Part of the Ancient Christian Writers series (nos. 35 & 36).
• Freely available online (e.g., Internet Archive) .
A perfect choice if you want deep historical and theological insights from his correspondence with contemporaries like Augustine and Severus.
Called to the Banquet, Sent to the Cross
Who is the True Israel of God?
Before we enter into today’s sacred reflections for the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost, we must address a moment of global consequence.
This past day, the United States conducted a bombing campaign against Iran, reportedly on behalf of the modern state of Israel. Once again, political and religious voices across the spectrum are invoking the familiar phrase: “God bless Israel.” But here lies a dangerous misunderstanding of Sacred Scripture.
As traditional Catholics, we affirm that God’s covenant with the people of Israel was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The Church is now the true Israel of God (cf. Galatians 6:16), the Bride of Christ, the New Jerusalem. To equate modern Israel formed in 1948 as a secular, political state with biblical Israel is to distort both theology and history.
Let us recall the warning of history: Julian the Apostate, the Roman emperor who rejected Christ, tried to undermine the Church by rebuilding the Jewish Temple in the 4th century. But God Himself intervened earthquakes, fire, and celestial signs stopped the project, confirming the Temple had been surpassed. Christ is the true Temple, and His Sacrifice on Calvary the Holy Mass is the definitive act of worship.
In light of this, today’s readings call us back to eternal truths: true charity, true worship, and the true Kingdom of God. Let us now turn to the Epistle and Gospel for this Sunday.
Clarifying the Apocalypse: Revelation According to Tradition
Many today misunderstand the Book of the Apocalypse (also called Revelation) especially Protestants, who treat it as a literal, futuristic checklist of end-time events.
Let’s clarify the differences:
Protestant Errors:
• They expect a rapture, a literal 7-year tribulation, and a 1000-year reign of Christ on earth.
• They believe the modern state of Israel must rebuild the Temple, resume sacrifices, and play a central role in salvation history.
• They rely on private interpretation, with conflicting timelines and failed predictions.
Traditional Catholic Understanding:
• The Apocalypse is liturgical and symbolic, centering on the Mass, the Church’s struggle, and the victory of the Lamb.
• The true Israel is the Church not a nation or ethnicity (Galatians 6:16).
• The “1,000 years” is a symbolic period representing the reign of Christ in His Church, not a literal political empire (cf. St. Augustine).
• The book culminates not in an earthly kingdom, but in the Heavenly Jerusalem the Bride of the Lamb, the Church Triumphant.
The traditional Latin Mass mirrors this heavenly worship: incense, candles, altars, angels, sacred chant all foretastes of eternity. Revelation is not about war in the Middle East. It’s about the Mass, the Lamb, and our fidelity to Christ through the Cross.
“Blessed is he that readeth and heareth the words of this prophecy…” (Apocalypse 1:3)
Let us read it as Catholics with the Fathers, not the televangelists.
Epistle: 1 John 3:13–18
“Wonder not, brethren, if the world hate you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren.”
St. John tells us that the mark of the Christian is supernatural love not sentiment, but sacrificial action. The world will hate this love because it reflects Christ, who exposed sin and demanded conversion.
“Let us not love in word, nor in tongue, but in deed and in truth.”
This verse cuts to the heart of modern “Christianity-lite.” Love is not a feeling or a slogan it is the Cross. It’s hidden acts of service, forgiveness, generosity, and truth spoken when it costs us.
In an age of talk, tweets, and headlines, this passage reminds us: you are not a Christian because you say so you are one because you give so.
Gospel – Luke 14:16–24
“A certain man made a great supper, and invited many…”
This Gospel parable is a warning to those who refuse the invitation of grace. Those first invited symbolizing the chosen people make worldly excuses: land, livestock, and marriage. So, the invitation is extended to the poor, the maimed, the blind, and the lame those without status or claims, but who know their need.
Today, many in the Church reject the great banquet: the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. They prefer novelties, human-centered liturgy, or outright indifference. Meanwhile, it is the humble, the broken, the traditional faithful who flock to the altar of Christ.
Let us not be among those who decline the invitation. Let us be among the poor whom God exalts.
Saint of the Day – St. Paulinus of Nola
Today we also commemorate St. Paulinus of Nola, a 5th-century bishop who gave up great worldly wealth after a profound conversion. He poured out his life in charity and simplicity, helping the poor and building churches.
His life is a model of today’s readings he loved in deed and in truth, and he responded to the divine invitation to the banquet of grace.
Closing Prayer
Oremus.
O Lord Jesus Christ,
You are the Lamb who was slain and who reigns forever.
Keep us faithful to Your banquet, firm in charity, and vigilant in truth.
May we reject all false worship, resist worldly distractions, and love You in deed and in sacrifice.
Through the intercession of St. Paulinus, grant us the courage to forsake worldly honors and seek only Your Kingdom.
And in this time of war, confusion, and error, enlighten Your Church and hasten the triumph of Your Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen.

In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.

Thank you for joining us today on Catholic Reboot.
If you’ve found yourself troubled by today’s headlines or deceived by modern confusion, remember: our peace is not in politics or prophecy charts but in the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in the Holy Mass, and in the truths handed down through the ages.

Until next time, stay faithful, stay fervent, and keep your eyes on Christ.