This is a reflection on the Mass readings of the day.
The readings today are all about God’s Providence. We see images of the eternal celebration that God has prepared for us, which in the first reading and the gospel is compared to a great feast. It is a feast of the best food and wine, and for this celebration God will wipe the tears off every face and destroy the veil, the web, the pall of misery that hangs over all the earth.
But then in the Gospel passage, we hear Jesus Christ repeating a theme of His–warning us in no uncertain terms that some people are not going to make it to the feast. There appear to be two reasons: Choice to ignore the invitation, and unsuitability.
In the parable Jesus uses to describe this, all the initial invitees choose to ignore the invitation. Think how you would feel if you were to plan a wedding celebration and NONE of those you invited were to come, despite multiple invitations.
Then, anyone and everyone from off the street is invited, and many come, but one arrives not dressed in wedding attire, and he is thrown out.
There are different ways we could interpret Jesus’ parable. Maybe those initially invited are the people of Israel of His day, who ultimately reject Him. Maybe, rather, the initial invitees are all of humanity upon creation; the invitation is rejected on behalf of all of us by Adam and Eve.
However one sees the various groups, however, it is clear that all of us, “bad and good” as the gospel says, wind up receiving an invitation to the banquet of Heaven, once Jesus has opened the invitation to us through His death and Resurrection. There are two reasons why we don’t ever see the inside of the banquet hall. One: We don’t choose to go. We put other priorities ahead of God, His will, and our relationship with Him in our lives, and we completely miss out.
The second reason is unsuitability, which also boils down to a choice. One of the banquet-goers in the parable chooses to come without the required style of dress, and is thrown out. He represents those of us who theoretically, hypothetically make a choice for Christ, but then do not actively choose to live the life of grace. Without sanctity, we do not enter Heaven.
The first reading is beautiful and consoling, as it describes what it will be like to participate in the feast God has prepared for us. The gospel is a bit more grim. Jesus lays a lot of emphasis on those who don’t make it. He’s not trying to discourage us. Rather, aware at how much is at stake for us, He is doing all He can to give us teaching to ensure that we will be among those counted at the feast.
But overall, again, the readings are about God’s Providence. the feast is prepared; it is there waiting for us. Nor are we left on our own to navigate there. As the psalm says, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul.” God Himself is shepherding us toward the banquet. All we need do is take His hand and allow Him to lead us there.
The road is a tough one. Sometimes it feels like we’ve got it all under control. Other times, we feel like we are floundering. But in one circumstance and the other, God is there for those who lean on them and ensures their eternal success. As St. Paul says in the second reading, “I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. I can do all things in him who strengthens me.“
Ideas for conversation with the Lord: Ask Jesus to be your guide on the adventure of life. Commit to Him that you want His path, the path to the heavenly banquet. Ask Him to do whatever it takes to get you there, even if at some times that means living in want, or caring about the welfare of other so much that your heart bleeds. Lean on Him in your heart, and ask Him with trust to shepherd you home.
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