Luke 14:15-24

Romans 12:5-16ab

Psalm 131:1bcde, 2, 3

Luke 14:15-24

One of those at table with Jesus said to him,

“Blessed is the one who will dine in the Kingdom of God.”

He replied to him,

“A man gave a great dinner to which he invited many.

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.

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.’”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, I have heard your invitation to dine in your Kingdom. I have heard the message of your Servant and want to respond generously. Help me to overcome the noise of this world and transcend its cares to focus on you and your Kingdom.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Invitation to the Feast of the New Covenant: The Gospel image of dining with God in his Kingdom is a powerful one. It evokes the joy and blessing of a family meal. In response to the man’s observation about the blessedness of dining in the kingdom, Jesus tells the story of a servant who was sent to call the people to his master’s feast. Instead of rejoicing at the servant’s invitation, the people made excuses to not attend. This story alludes to Israel’s history and God’s invitation to the feast of the New Covenant made through the prophets: “Israel was long invited to this feast by the prophets, yet many of the people declined when the Messiah announced the meal was ready. The Father, therefore, revised the guest list, summoning the despised of Israel (Luke 14:21) and the Gentiles (Luke 14:23; see Acts 13:46; 28:28) to enjoy the banquet in their place” (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, 1861). As Christians, we dine in the Kingdom of God first in the Eucharist (Luke 22:19-20), but, ultimately, in the communion we will enjoy with God in heaven (Revelation 19:9).

2. We are One Body in Christ: In the First Reading, we begin a new section in Paul’s Letter to the Romans. The first 11 chapters have been full of doctrinal teaching about salvation. In Chapter 12, Paul shifts from theological exposition and doctrine to pastoral exhortation and application. This highlights how there is a seamless continuity between Christian faith and Christian life. “Because baptized believers take on a new identity as children of God, they also take on new obligations of living in covenant with God as their Father. Earlier, Paul designated the filial duty of Christians as ‘the obedience of faith’ (Romans 1:5) and characterized it as walking ‘according to the spirit’ (Romans 8:4). Now he translates these statements into specific principles for living in the family of God” (Hahn and Mitch, Romans, 211). In Romans 12:5, Paul proclaims that we are united as believers in the ecclesial body of Christ. This is a sacramental union of believers with the Messiah’s glorified humanity (CCC, 790). As Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians, we become living members of Christ’s body through baptism and the Eucharist.

3. Exercising the Seven Spiritual Gifts: The pastoral reason why Paul describes the Christian community as a body is that each member of the body has to look to the needs and gifts of their fellow disciples. “All members of the body of Christ are indispensable. One sign of this is the spiritual gifts that believers have received from the Lord” (Hahn and Mitch, Romans, 219). Paul lists seven such spiritual gifts in Romans 12:6-8: prophecy, ministry (service), teaching, exhortation, charitable and generous giving, authority, and mercy. Prophets rank below the apostles in the Church and are called to deliver words of exhortation to the assembly. Exercising prophecy in the Church cannot be detached from the faith. “Ministry is a gift of practical service to others of the church community, particularly widows, orphans, and the elderly” (Hahn and Mitch, Romans, 220). What are the spiritual gifts I am called to exercise in the Church?

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, I confess that you are the Lord! I see the path that you took and want to follow along that same path. Do not let me be discouraged when I experience humiliation and do not receive gratitude for my service and charity. Keep my eyes focused on you and your Father’s glory.

Living the Word of God: Am I truly listening to the Servant of the Lord’s message? Do I need to spend more time in quiet meditation and contemplation to hear God’s voice better? How can I today be still in my heart, overcome distraction, and hear the gentle voice of God? What is God saying to me in the depths of my heart? Where do I need to grow in true humility? After spending time in prayerful reflection, what are the spiritual gifts I am called to exercise in the Church?