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The banquet is ready, are we.

In today's gospel we encounter the banquet.  Jesus speaks of invited guest who at the last minute excuse themselves  from the celebration.

How rude!

Yet, look at the excuses...

The first gentlemen excused himself because of a business transaction.  Worldly commerce is what he chose over the banquet spread.   The claims of finance usurped the claims of God.

How often is this the case?  How many husbands and wives refuse children because they are concerned with having enough money?  How often do we look first at our bank account before we ever look in God's direction?


The second man was caught up in his purchase of oxen.  It wasn't the purchase itself but his desire to see how they worked.  He was like a child with a new toy; novelty captivated him over the banquet spread.

How often do we get carried away with the latest innovation or technological advance and allow it to sway our hearts and minds?  How many people have made the iPhone or ipad or facebook or myspace the center of their lives: with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength they move forward with seldom a thought to God?

The third man declined because of his bride.  This is a good thing to be married, to want to spend time as newly weds.  This is good and necessary.  But, how often as husbands and wives we forget that the purpose of getting married is not our happiness but rather our holiness and getting to the banquet in the first place?

As lovely as our home and our relationships are, they too must be directed to the things that last.

Lastly, the fact that Jesus uses the image of a banquet is important.  The christian endeavor is about joy, the joy of being with others with God.  There is a feast going on and we are invited; our lives should anticipate that joy here and now.