'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~~~