'No-Shows'

~~~ Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~~~

~~~ Isaiah 25:6-10A ~~~ Psalm 23 ~~~  Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20 ~~~

~~~ Matthew 22:1-14 ~~~ 

The king has prepared a lavish banquet.
There is just one problem the invited guests are no shows.
For whatever reason those who had received a personal invitation
 to the party decided they had better things to do that day.

They did not even have the courtesy to let the king
know they were not attending.

The king does not become discouraged
 he sends word that the feast has already
been prepared to honor his son.
What is he to do with all of the rich food?

Then he said to his servants, 'The feast is ready,
but those who were invited were not worthy to come. 

The king was determined to have the palace filled
with guests to celebrate with his son.
Finally he sends out his servants
to bring into the palace anyone they can find.

They went out into the streets
and gathered all they found, bad and good alike...
Everyone came, the king was pleased, the hall
was filled with guests for the feast.

If this parable is about the kingdom of heaven
then we see the extravagant measures God will go to.
He invites all to the banquet of his love.
Some ignore, some refuse, but here the least likely
are the ones who respond to the invitation.

We are never worthy and we might not even be prepared
when the invitation from the Lord comes to us.
Many did respond even some who entered
with wrong attitudes or intentions.

The wedding garment might not be limited
 to specific items of clothing...
the wedding garment
 might be deep within our soul.
God sees our possibilities
not just our previously proven abilities.

In Paul's letter to the Philippians he writes of his reliance upon God.

I can do all things in him who strengthens me.

The guests came to the feast from the streets...they were
 relying on the generosity of the king. 

They could come to this special feast because of the king.

We can enter into the kingdom of heaven because of God.
Those who chose to ignore the invitation did not believe
 they needed the generosity of the king...
perhaps they were mistaken.

The king found cause to have one guest removed...
Jesus found one who was to betray him right
within his intimate circle of disciples.

The Lord prepares a banquet for us.
He sends out the invitation over and over again.
Those who rely on him for his grace and guidance
are the ones who enjoy the rich food.
They are the ones who are welcomed at the table
 to eat and drink with the king.
They are the ones who follow the shepherd.

There is nothing we can do without the blessings
 of the hand of the Lord.
Come to the feast with humility;
 you will see the goodness of the Lord.

~~~Believe~~~

I can do all things in him who strengthens me.

~~~Peace~~~

The Tax Collector Hosts a Dinner for Jesus

~~~ Isaiah 58:9b-14 ~~~ Psalm 86 ~~~ Luke 5:27-32 ~~~

 

When the tax collector hears the call from Jesus to Follow him,

he immediately leaves his money table.

He walks away from his well paying job.

Later that same day he calls his friends together for a banquet in honor of Jesus.

Who knows this could have been equivalent to a political fund raiser

in today's environment.

 

"...leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him.
Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house,
and a large crowd of tax collectors
and others were at table with them..."

 

Little did the tax collector know that he was exposing his unsavory friends

 to the presence of a holy and righteous man...Jesus.

The Pharisees and the scribes were well aware that tax collectors

 were not considered to be among the holy.

They were not known for keeping the Jewish laws or rituals.

 

 

Jesus on the other hand accepted the invitation from the tax collector.

Jesus did not try to judge the intentions or the tax collector's friends.

 

Jesus had a stronger personality.

He could not be influenced by their potential corrupt ways.

Perhaps the presence of Jesus coupled with the conversion of the tax collector

 made an impact on these guests.

Perhaps they were affected for the better.

The Bible does not provide for us every detail of those who were influenced by Jesus.

 

All who come in contact with Jesus, however, leave as a changed person...

some more than others.

Some walked away from their former life immediately.

Some were changed in ways less obvious,

but all were changed.

 

We have the same situation.

We too are changed whenever we come into contact with Jesus...

especially through receiving the Eucharist in Communion.

 

Jesus came to earth for everyone...he does not discriminate. 

We have much to learn from just this one dinner.

 

Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.

 

We follow Jesus because he is loving, kind, and

accepting of all who come to him.

Jesus was all inclusive;

 there were no private exclusive parties.

Lord, help me to be more loving of others and less judgmental.

I choose to be more aware of your presence today, Lord.