Are we any closer in our desire to be more like our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ? Have we emptied ourselves of the cares of the world so as to be filled with His grace, His Holy presence? Have we invited the Lord of Lords, King of Kings to come dwell in our hearts through our prayers at first light to the dead of night?
Or do we still behave as though we are entitled? We believe that we are good and holier than most, in that we attend Sunday Mass and do not intentionally hurt anyone. And so the Lord understands and gives us an open invitation so we can choose at anytime when we are ready to turn back from any and all sinful ways, to enter the wedding feast of the Lord. We still have lots of time, so for now our careers and our way of life takes priority. How foolish indeed! For greater Sinners from far and wide, who have chosen to believe and follow Jesus by responding to His call in the here and now, are living in His presence and receiving full communion with Him at His table. They are already living in His peace, love, joy and to the full! Let us not tarry any longer, for tomorrow may not come for some of us.
O Holy Spirit draw me ever close to You. Let me seek first the kingdom of my Lord and God this day and everyday. Amen
First reading
Philippians 2:5-11 ·
Christ humbled himself but God raised him high
In your minds you must be the same as Christ Jesus:
His state was divine, yet he did not cling
to his equality with God but emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave, and became as men are; and being as all men are, he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross.
But God raised him high and gave him the name which is above all other names so that all beings in the heavens, on earth and in the underworld, should bend the knee at the name of Jesus and that every tongue should acclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Gospel
Luke 14:15-24
‘Not one of those who were invited shall have a taste of my banquet’
One of those gathered round the table said to Jesus, ‘Happy the man who will be at the feast in the kingdom of God!’ But he said to him, ‘There was a man who gave a great banquet, and he invited a large number of people. When the time for the banquet came, he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, “Come along: everything is ready now.” But all alike started to make excuses. The first said, “I have bought a piece of land and must go and see it. Please accept my apologies.” Another said, “I have bought five yoke of oxen and am on my way to try them out. Please accept my apologies.” Yet another said, “I have just got married and so am unable to come.”
‘The servant returned and reported this to his master. Then the householder, in a rage, said to his servant, “Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in here the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.” “Sir” said the servant “your orders have been carried out and there is still room.” Then the master said to his servant, “Go to the open roads and the hedgerows and force people to come in to make sure my house is full; because, I tell you, not one of those who were invited shall have a taste of my banquet.
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