Do Not Refuse The Invitation

Beads of Joy 11-03-09

Do Not Refuse The Invitation
©2009 James Dacey, Jr. SFO

Hello Everyone,

This is such a beautiful reading. The wisdom gained from a parable at times is so immeasurable. Today's readings is Luke 14:15-24 (The Parable of the Great Feast). This feast has been deemed "great" by its size and the greatness of the one providing the meal. I highly recommend that all of us study and research parables, it's so exciting, your heart beats with so much joy when you do. Today's parable has been compared to "The Parable of the Royal Marriage Feast" in Matthew's gospel. The contrast between the two have made this research insightful and helpful in understanding.

Let me give you some idea of what I have found. "The Royal Marriage Feast" was spoken of early in our Lord's ministry while "The Great Feast" was during the Passion week. Now "The Royal Marriage Feast" was addressed to many in the temple, the messengers were treated violently, the city was burned and the antagonism towards Jesus was mild. With "The Great Feast" it was for the guests in a private home, the messengers got numerous excuses, the despisers of the invitation ended up being excluded, and here the antagonism towards Jesus was more expressive and violent. What an absolutely exciting comparison between the two parables. Now let us reflect one the three excuses why people did not want to break bread at God's great invitation.

Why were these people giving excuses, some of which made no sense and they didn't even apology for refusing the invitation to such a great feast. With the first excuse this persons choice of ones own personal business comes first, his possessions took all his attention and therefore robbed him of spiritual wealth. The second excuse is tragic that the affairs of ones life, ones time and ones career choices come before anything God wants of us to do. And the third excuse puts our homes and our family before God. Our personal lives were never intended to override God's intentions and invitations in our lives.

It's critical that we really understand how important it is to focus on and have Jesus come first and foremost in all that we do. He must come before everyone, and everything, no exceptions and no excuses. Jesus died for each one of us, we must die to our own selfishness and our own "world" and surrender everything and stay completely totally focused on Him. Every time we allow anything in this world to come before Him, we gain nothing.

When Jesus invites us, we need to accept His invitation.


Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO