“HAPPY ARE THOSE WHO EAT AT THE BAQUET IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD!”

One after another, the guests made excuses for not coming.

When the master of the house heard these flimsy excuses, he was angry.

He told his servant to forget the guest list and go into the back streets and alleyways of the town

and invite “the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame”

All are invited do this celebration where they can enjoy the King’s generosity.

This is the Good News proclaimed by Jesus.

 

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊  

Romans 12:5-16ab

The same with us;

Being many, we are one body in Christ, depending on one another. Let each one of us, therefore, serve, according to our different gifts. Are you a prophet? Then give the insights of faith. Let the minister fulfill his office; let the teacher teach, the one who encourages, convince.

You must, likewise, give, with an open hand, preside with dedication, and be cheerful in your works of charity. Let love be sincere. Hate what is evil and hold to whatever is good. Love one another and be considerate. Outdo one another, in mutual respect. Be zealous in fulfilling your duties. Be fervent in the spirit, and serve God. 

 

Have hope and be cheerful. Be patient in trials and pray constantly. Share with other Christians in need. With those passing by, be ready to receive them.

Bless those who persecute you; bless, and do not wish evil on anyone. Rejoice with those who are joyful, and weep with those who weep. Live in peace with one another. Do not dream of extraordinary things; be humble and do not hold yourselves as wise.

 

Ps 131:1bcde, 2, 3 In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊      

Luke 14:15-24

Upon hearing these words, one of those at the table said to Jesus, "Happy are those who eat at the banquet in the kingdom of God!" Jesus replied, "A man once gave a feast and invited many guests. When it was time for the feast, he sent his servant to tell those he had invited to come, for everything was ready.

 

But all alike began to make excuses. The first said, 'Please excuse me. I must go and see the piece of land I have just bought.' Another said: 'I am sorry, but I am on my way to try out the five yoke of oxen I have just bought.' Still another said, 'How can I come, when I've just got married?'

 

The servant returned alone, and reported this to his master. Upon hearing his account, the master of the house flew into a rage, and ordered his servant, 'Go out quickly, into the streets and alleys of the town, and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.' 

 

The servant reported after a while, 'Sir, your orders have been carried out, but there is still room. The master said, 'Go out to the highways and country lanes, and force people to come in, to ensure that my house is full. I tell you, none of those invited will have a morsel of my feast."

 

Gospel Reflection ：

"The Spirit will fill our hearts with the gifts we need." 

God invites us to share in the heavenly banquet, the wedding feast of the Lamb. We can choose to accept that invitation or we can find things we would rather do, allowing ourselves to be captured by worldly concerns and values that draw us away from the Lord's table.

Paul tells the Romans how they should live if they want to be welcomed to the banquet. He lists the virtues that a faithful disciple will display; unity, service, generosity, sincerity, devotion to the good, consideration, conscientiousness, patience, perseverance, mercy, and compassion. It's a long list, but the Spirit will fill our hearts with the gifts we need. By sharing these gifts for the good of the Body of Christ, our gifts and virtues will multiply.

 

We can use the gifts and grace we receive from the Holy Spirit to reach out to the margins to invite those we meet there to move to the center and share the heavenly banquet. The presence of our brothers and sisters at a shared table will make our joy complete.