“The Christian Banquet” As our Thanksgiving Holiday arrives this weekend, we might see some irony in answering the Lord’s invitation to his eternal banquet – as presented in today’s gospel – when we must rethink how we will respond – or not respond – to our own invitations to celebrate Thanksgiving, typically with family and friends, while considering the restrictions we must follow during the Covid-19 pandemic. How many of us may need to say, “We will only be able to meet outside in the yard!”, or if from another city or community, “Sorry, but we can’t safely come this year.” Indeed, many of us will not be able to accept these invitations, even if we truly want to attend. It is almost like a light is being shone on just how important it is for us to gather together “to give thanks” for what we have, to celebrate each other as family and community with food, fun, and festivity.
Indeed, maybe it will make us more mindful of the invitations God sends us every day to his banquet of life, a life we should be truly grateful for and attend as he has asked us to, by means of loving and supporting each other in accordance to his will. But how do we respond: affirmatively or negatively? Think of a dinner party we have worked hard to prepare for family and friends. Invitations are sent in excited, eager anticipation of their company. The affirmative responses fill us with joy, but the negative ones, disappoint, even sadden us. This is how God feels when we do not respond in the affirmative to his invitations. Social psychologists tell us people respond to invitations in four ways: 1.) Positively: “I’d be delighted to come!” 2.) Apologetically: “I’m so sorry, but I already have plans.” 3.) Regretfully: “Sorry, I’m not coming.” 4.) Negatively: No Response at all. So, do we respond in the same way to God’s invitations? Let’s take a look. Dominican, Flor McCarthy, admits Christ’s parable may seem “a bit far-fetched. … who would be so crazy as to turn down an invitation to a royal wedding? But people are foolish. There is a streak in us which not only refuses the good, but can’t even recognize it.” Sadly, this part of our nature, our self-centred ego which too often focuses on our own personal, private needs and wants, interferes with our hearing God’s constant invitations to a deeper, more meaningful life. But what might these invitations be? Well, they might be simpler than we realize: - I should email that friend of mine who lost his job, but I’m not sure what to say. I’ll think about it later when I know better what to tell him. - I will visit my neighbour in the hospital, but I’ll do it tomorrow. Right now, I can’t possibly miss that episode of ‘How The Stomach Turns’. - I know I shouldn’t be speaking badly about them, but they are not the easiest person to get along with, and everybody else feels and does the same thing anyway. - I know I’ve not been praying lately, but I’m too tired after a long day’s work. * The list can go on and on!! … Still, we know what God wants of us as Christians. But unfortunately, we too often draw from that box full of handy regrets and what seem like reasonable excuses. … But this is a dangerous, slippery slope. The danger is not so much we may deliberately choose evil ways, but that we may simply ignore or even forget to open God’s various invitations. We let a kind of apathy engulf our daily lives with self-excuses, self-forgiveness. “God knows me. He knows I mean well. He’ll forgive me. After all, he has unlimited mercy for us.” In fact, ignoring God’s invitation altogether is the unkindest-cut-of-all, because it spells indifference on our part. And this is perhaps the greatest sin of all, and often with the smallest of invitations – to help someone or something in the smallest way. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” Christ calls us to join him at our Father’s table for a feast beyond all imagining, a banquet where all our hunger will be satisfied. Bless us, O Lord, for these thy gifts which we receive each day from your heavenly bounty. And let us be ever mindful of your invitations to live and work for each other as good Christians, and to be ever thankful to the Lord, for he is good. Rev Fr Christopher Tracey Saint Joseph Parish Saugeen Shores, Ontario
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Father's Blog
Rev. Fr. Christopher Tracey
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