EXTEND THE INVITATION
You and I are represented in
the Gospel as the beggars, the crippled, the lame and the blind. That is to
say, by those who are not in a position to return God's favor. We have nothing
to offer God except our thanks.
In the Responsorial Psalm we acclaim:
"Lord, in Your great love, answer me" (Ps 69:14c). God's ways can, at
times, seem strange to us, but they are always full of mercy. God calls all to
His Kingdom and He will never take back that call. Unfortunately, human freedom
allows for a rejection of God's invitation. Throughout history, human beings
have turned away from God by disobedience. But God remains faithful to His love
for us. In His mercy God continues to extend the invitation.
The advice Jesus gives in the Gospel, follows
the pattern of His Father's action. Jesus says that whenever one hosts a lunch
or dinner they should not invite those who will invite them in return. God
invites us, His children, to His everlasting Banquet of the Lamb. You and I are
represented in the Gospel as the beggars, the crippled, the lame and the blind.
That is to say, by those who are not in a position to return God's favor. We
have nothing to offer God except our thanks. We acknowledge that "our prayer
of thanksgiving adds nothing to Your greatness, but makes us grow in Your
grace" (Preface).
In just a few weeks we will begin the holiday
season again. Who do we invite into our homes for a meal? The list of guests
probably includes family and friends, and that is very good. But, Jesus
suggests that our guest list be filled with people who could never offer a
favor in return. If we to take Jesus seriously, we might find ourselves
standing outside a local homeless shelter handing invitations to a Thanksgiving
or Christmas meal. Maybe we can take part in the ministry of Catholic Charities
this season or, in some way, give to those who are unable to return the favor.
At every Mass, the Eucharistic Banquet is a
sign and example of God's call to us. The bread and wine which we bring to the
altar are not really ours; they belong to God. After all, they are the fruit of
the earth, which God created, and the work of human hands, which God empowers.
He takes these offerings and through the Holy Spirit transforms them into the
most marvelous gift imaginable, the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of His Son,
Jesus Christ. This is our spiritual banquet and we are all called to partake in
this meal!
Happy are those who hear the call to His
everlasting supper!