The Gospel for November 8, 2004
Luke 14:12-24
Then he said to his host, ‘When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relations or rich neighbours, in case they invite you back and so repay you. No; when you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; then you will be blessed, for they have no means to repay you and so you will be repaid when the upright rise again.’ On hearing this, one of those gathered round the table said to him, ‘Blessed is anyone who will share the meal in the kingdom of God!’ But he said to him, ‘There was a man who gave a great banquet, and he invited a large number of people. When the time for the banquet came, he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, “Come along: everything is ready now.” But all alike started to make excuses. The first said, “I have bought a piece of land and must go and see it. Please accept my apologies.” Another said, “I have bought five yoke of oxen and am on my way to try them out. Please accept my apologies.” Yet another said, “I have just got married and so am unable to come.” ‘The servant returned and reported this to his master. Then the householder, in a rage, said to his servant, “Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in here the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.” “Sir,” said the servant, “your orders have been carried out and there is still room.” Then the master said to his servant, “Go to the open roads and the hedgerows and press people to come in, to make sure my house is full; because, I tell you, not one of those who were invited shall have a taste of my banquet.” ’ -- The New Jerusalem Bible. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1995, c1985
A Study
The "excuses" being made here are those of the publicly religious in Israel -- and perhaps even a few who thought themselves religious but didn't make all the show that some did -- but did not follow the Law in its basics.
This is another warning to Israel from its Savior to repent, to turn its face towards YHWH; few accepted the warning for what it was until after the third day.
A Reflection
Today's psalm (80) reminds us of the "vine brought out of Egypt" by YHWH to be His people, Israel. Today's text here reminds us that the warnings YHWH gave Israel through her prophets went unheard, resulting in the arrival of Jeshua from Nazareth, the carpenter's son; he issued yet another set of warnings, but "spoke with authority."
And few listened.
Today we are infiltrated with all sorts of women and men who proclaim the Gospel message, a message of love and reconciliation, and, it seems, still only a very few hear and even fewer understand.
We are called to go out and preach the good news and baptize to increase the number of invited who appear at the Banquet.
I recall the people who have had the biggest impacts on my spiritual life. How did that person preach? Far more through actions than loud words, far more through emotional connection than fire and brimstone imagery. They are the ones who conjure up the pictures of Jesus in my mind, walking next to me, listening, encouraging.
We are called to be the image of Jesus for those who are not listening to the words, but are susceptible to the presence.
A Collect
O Lord Jesus Christ, you became poor for our sake, that we might be made rich through your poverty: Guide and sanctify, we pray, those whom you call to follow you under the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, that by their prayer and service they may enrich your Church, and by their life and worship may glorify your Name; for you reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
7:26:13 PM 
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