The Invitation

Sunday, Oct 9, 2011
1st Reading: Is 25:6-10a, @nd Reading: Phil 4:12-14, 19-20
Gospel: Mt 22:1-14 (or Mt 22:1-10)

All are invited ...

The everlasting love of God is a delight for the soul that abides in His presence. Indeed, all are invited to live and partake of His endless bounty to cherish eternal peace that flows from the Almighty. Although the invitation is open for all, a free response is paramount to enter God's Kingdom. Therefore, a joyful soul sings aloud, "It is better for me to be in the Lord's Court for one day than to live a thousand years elsewhere." Are you ready to respond to the call of God?

The empirical experience tells us that because of our ego and pride, not many desire to live in the Court of the Lord. During the time of the prophet Isaiah, people had abandoned the invitation of the Lord and chose to dwell elsewhere. Subsequently, their lives turned pathetic and wretched, hope dwindled, and sorrow engulfed them. At such a juncture, prophet Isaiah reminds them of the invitation of the Lord for a sumptuous banquet on the mountain of the Lord.

Leaving God out of public life has crumbled our institutions. Such a stance, in time, has vitiated the atmosphere to affecting the private lives of the individuals to live in godliness. More and more people choose to dwell elsewhere than to live in the Court of the Lord. It is a tragedy and a poison for our soul. Presently the society is reaping the fruits of alienation, segregation, depression, abortion, violence, hunger, mistrust, hopelessness, and all the evils that have infected our lives.

The celebration of the Eucharist is the remedy for our soul. God became food to satisfy our hunger and thirst. Therefore, there is no other source better than the Body and Blood of our Savior Jesus Christ - the celebration of the Eucharist with the faith community, to fill our lives with love, peace, and eternal healing from our Creator. It is imperative for the disciples of Jesus to pay heed to the invitation of the Lord. We have to come before the banquet table of the Lord with thanksgiving and faith as one of Christ. There is no substitute for the celebration.

All are invited... but only a few have responded. What can I do to invite my family, friends, and neighbors? God wants us to be His voice, as prophet Isaiah became His voice to the people of Israel. Let us dress well for the celebration, to enter into the halls of God's Kingdom with mercy and forgiveness, love, faith and hope.

(by:Fr. Peter Fernandes, sfx )