Tuesday of Week 31 in Ordinary Time
Rm 12:5-16
Lk 14:15-24
“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.”
I read a true story once about a mother who threw a birthday party for her 5-year-old daughter and, despite receiving RSVPs for it, no one turned up on the designated day. Heartbroken for her daughter, she took to her community group on Facebook and invited anyone who had young children who wanted a fun day. Amazingly, the community responded and in less than half an hour, families turned up with presents, refusing to let the little girl down.
No reason was given as to why the original invitees failed to turn up, but one can only imagine how crestfallen the little girl and her mother must have felt when they realized no one was coming. The mother posted that it was unlikely she would organize another party after such an experience, but she was deeply touched that the local community had supported her daughter with their quick response.
I think as baptized Christians, we may fancy ourselves on an ‘auto-invite’ list, maybe not directly to Heaven, but at least a better chance at it. Perhaps we take it for granted that it is something we don’t have to work at. Does God want us at His great banquet? Of course! But as with any ordinary party, we need to be acquainted with the host in order to be invited. Our Host of Hosts has extended this invitation in recognition of His friendship with us; how are we now responding to His offer?
Friendships take time to be cultivated, and true friendships are based on trust, loyalty, and affection. God has readied for us a place in Heaven, as we have professed our faith in Him. But if we fail to work on that faith, we become less inclined to be better acquainted with God and therefore ‘make our excuses’, thinking that there’ll be another ‘party’, another invite, that God is a God of second chances. But what if…what if by rebuffing God’s first (and probably only) invite, He won’t be extending any further banquets to us? What if there weren’t any other invites? What if, by being callous about His invitation, we ruin our chances of ever getting into the greatest banquet of all time?
God has the answer to this small inconvenience — He will simply invite other people to fill up His house. As for us, will we be left weeping and gnashing our teeth outside the gate because we had the ticket but failed to be gracious guests? We all live with FOMO (‘Fear Of Missing Out’) and feel its effects keenly. Don’t let our lackadaisical attitude leave us out of the biggest party of all time. It would be a disappointment for God, but a bigger disappointment for us.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Annette Soo)
Prayer: Lord God, You have prepared for us a place at Your banquet as You have promised. We pray that we don’t take that for granted, but strive to earn our place there, that we may be found worthy on the day, even as we are sinners.
Thanksgiving: Thank you God, for extending your gift of friendship to us. May we cherish it always with loyalty, trust, and affection.
OXYGEN 
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