A Note From

Rev. Joe Koyickal

Come to the Feast

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells us the parable of a king who prepares a great wedding feast for his son. He sends his servants to invite the guests, but many refuse to come. Some are too busy with their own affairs; others simply ignore the invitation. Finally, the king sends his servants out into the streets to invite everyone they can find; “the bad as well as the good.”

This is very comforting! God’s invitation is extended to everyone not a select few or those who are perfect. God is not expecting us to have a spotless past before we come to God. We come because we need His mercy, His grace, and His love. The Lord wants each of us to have a place at His table. But we can become so pre-occupied with our own concerns, plans, possessions, work, responsibilities and interests that God's invitation becomes secondary. One thing that we notice is that most of those excuses are ordinary and even legitimate parts of life, farm, business. The problem is when good things become more important than God.

But at the same time the parable also reminds us that accepting His invitation also means allowing Him to change our hearts and lives. The wedding garment reminds us that God's grace is meant to change us. Our faith must be reflected in our actions: in our love, kindness, forgiveness, and care for others. If we truly accept Christ into our lives, our faith should gradually become visible in the way we live, in our kindness toward others, our willingness to forgive, our patience with family, our concern for someone who is struggling, our generosity, and our readiness to serve. We need to pray for this grace.

Every Sunday, we experience this invitation in a special way at the Eucharist. The Lord prepares the table and invites us to come, to listen to His Word, to receive Christ in the Eucharist, and to be nourished by His grace. We do not come because we are perfect; we come because we need Him. And after receiving Him, we are sent back into our homes and communities to live what we have received.

So, perhaps the most important question is not simply, “Have I accepted God's invitation?” but also, “Is my life becoming a reflection of the One I have received?”

We could perhaps reflect on this Week:

1. What are some things in my daily life that keep me from giving God the time and attention He deserves? busyness, distractions, worries, resentment, or other priorities?

2. What is one concrete way I can show this week, through my words or actions, that I have truly accepted Christ into my life?

Blessings of Peace and Joy Always

Fr. Joe