“When the time for the dinner came,
he dispatched his servant to say to those invited,
‘Come, everything is now ready.’
But one by one, they all began to excuse themselves.”

luke 14:17-18

Luke 14:15-24

Reflection

Continuing with the feast theme, Jesus tells a parable about a man who invites certain men to a dinner, but they all decline for different reasons. So the man instead invites all the poor, blind, lame, and crippled to his feast.

It is worth reflecting on the reasons given by the original invitees for not attending the dinner. They all have differing excuses, but none of them are very good. Jesus invites us to the heavenly, eternal banquet – will we decline for petty reasons?

Jesus invites us to follow and join him daily, but oftentimes, we make excuses for not doing so. We’re too busy, we have more important things to do. Yet there is no good reason not to listen to Jesus’ invitation. He offers us rest, peace, joy, and love – all in abundance and in ways the world can never give.

How are you denying Jesus’ invitation to a deeper spiritual life with him? Ask him for the strength and grace to put away outside matters and focus on responding to his unique call for your life.

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Saint of the Day

St. Elizabeth

St. Elizabeth was the mother of John the Baptist. When Mary visited Elizabeth to help in her pregnancy, she proclaimed: “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb” (Luke 1:42).

St. Elizabeth, pray for us!