First reading Romans 12:5-16
Use the gifts you have been given
All of us, in union with Christ, form one body, and as parts of it we belong to each other. Our gifts differ according to the grace given us. If your gift is prophecy, then use it as your faith suggests; if administration, then use it for administration; if teaching, then use it for teaching. Let the preachers deliver sermons, the almsgivers give freely, the officials be diligent, and those who do works of mercy do them cheerfully.
Do not let your love be a pretence, but sincerely prefer good to evil. Love each other as much as brothers should, and have a profound respect for each other. Work for the Lord with untiring effort and with great earnestness of spirit. If you have hope, this will make you cheerful. Do not give up if trials come; and keep on praying. If any of the saints are in need you must share with them; and you should make hospitality your special care.
Bless those who persecute you: never curse them, bless them. Rejoice with those who rejoice and be sad with those in sorrow. Treat everyone with equal kindness; never be condescending but make real friends with the poor. Do not allow yourself to become self-satisfied.
Responsorial Psalm 130(131)
Keep my soul in peace before you, O Lord.
O Lord, my heart is not proud
nor haughty my eyes.
I have not gone after things too great
nor marvels beyond me.
Truly I have set my soul
in silence and peace.
A weaned child on its mother’s breast,
even so is my soul.
O Israel, hope in the Lord
both now and forever.
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.”’
______________________
Come to the table of plenty
In today’s gospel, one of the guests, invited by a leading Pharisee to his grand banquet, exclaimed with joy, “Blessed is anyone who will share the meal in the kingdom of God!” His outburst was most likely due to the sight of the gathering of his friends and fellow Pharisees whom he considered righteous and good. Thus, for him, this meal was a foretaste of the banquet in God’s kingdom where the virtuous and deserving would gather. Jesus told the parable to show the reality that God welcomes all to His table- the saints and the sinners. His universal and unconditional love will never exclude anyone.
God desires us, as we are, to be at His table of fellowship, to His banquet of communion. Do we have the same desire as God? We are free to respond to His invitation to be with Him here, or we can be caught up with the things in this world that we turn Him down. Let us be attentive to God’s invitation to be with Him here, now, and forever.
Reflective question:
What is my response to God’s daily invitation to be with Him?
What is my response to God’s daily invitation to be with Him?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Sandra Seow FMVD.
