Gospel: Luke 14:15-24
The first
said to him, ‘I have purchased a field and must go to examine it; I ask you,
consider me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have purchased five yoke of oxen and
am on my way to evaluate them; I ask you, consider me excused.’ And another
said, ‘I have just married a woman, and therefore I cannot come.’
The
servant went and reported this to his master. Then the master of the house in a
rage commanded his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the
town and bring in here the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ The
servant reported, ‘Sir, your orders have been carried out and still there is
room.’
The master
then ordered the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedgerows and make people
come in that my home may be filled. For, I tell you, none of those men who were
invited will taste my dinner.’
There is the breaking of bread, the sharing of food, interaction, the exchange of ideas, and much more. We are not invited to dinner simply to eat and leave. We are invited because our host wants to spend time with us, get to know us better, and bless us with the food prepared for us. Our host also desires to share a few words with us, even through brief conversations, that can strengthen our relationship with one another.
When
we attend the Holy Mass, we respond to Jesus’ invitation to gather around His
sacred table. We break bread with Him, encounter Him in the Eucharist, listen
to His Word, and open our hearts to the countless blessings He longs to bestow
upon us. The Holy Mass is not merely an obligation to fulfill; it is a sacred
encounter with Jesus, who desires to nourish our souls and draw us closer to
His loving heart.
Yet,
just as in the Gospel, many of us sometimes decline Jesus’ invitation because
we are preoccupied with other things. We become so occupied with our work,
personal concerns, and worldly pursuits that we forget what truly matters.
Sadly, whenever we deliberately choose other priorities over our relationship
with Jesus, we miss precious opportunities to encounter Him, receive His grace,
and grow in faith.
It
is also sad to think that some Catholics leave the Catholic Church to join
other Christian communities because they desire to develop a personal
relationship with Jesus through the Bible. Their desire to know Jesus more
deeply is something we can appreciate. However, we must also remember that
Jesus invites us to encounter Him not only through His written Word but also
through the Holy Eucharist, the celebration of the Holy Mass, prayer, and the
loving guidance of the Holy Spirit.
If
only we would make time to attend the Holy Mass faithfully and devoutly, we
would discover the many graces Jesus offers us. As we listen to His Word and
receive Him in the Eucharist, He can deepen our understanding of His love and
inspire us to open our Bibles, reflect on His teachings, and live according to
His will. Through these sacred encounters, our friendship with Jesus grows
stronger, and our lives become more deeply rooted in His love.
Let
us never forget that the Holy Mass is an invitation to a sacred banquet where
Jesus Himself welcomes us. He does not invite us merely to be present, listen,
and leave; He invites us to enter into a deeper relationship with Him. He wants
to transform our hearts, strengthen our faith, heal our wounded spirits, and
teach us how to love God and our neighbors more sincerely.
Therefore,
let us not allow our busy schedules, personal ambitions, or worldly concerns to
keep us away from the One who gives meaning to our lives. Let us faithfully
accept His invitation, gather around His table, listen attentively to His Word,
receive Him in the Eucharist, and carry His love into our homes and
communities.
When
Jesus invites us to His sacred banquet, will we continue to make excuses and
turn away, or will we open our hearts, accept His invitation, and allow Him to
become the center of our lives?— Marino J. Dasmarinas
No comments:
Post a Comment