The Gospel tells a story of a great banquet. Many were
invited, but very few actually attended using all sorts of excuses. One had
just bought a new farm, one had just purchased five oxen, and another had just
been married. Excuses, excuses, excuses! The invited guests begged to be
excused from the banquet. As a result the master of the banquet not only
excused them, he banned them for EVER attending even if they had changed their
mind saying, “none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.” (Luke
14.24)
This parable is to teach us about the kingdom of God. We
have all been invited. When Jesus Christ came two thousand years ago to
establish His Church, we received word that the banquet was ready. It is now up
to us to not only accept the invitation, but actually attend the banquet. The
banquet is heaven and you have been invited. What will your response be?
Attending Church services, most especially the Divine Liturgy,
is our opportunity to accept Christ’s invitation to join Him at the banquet.
The Divine Liturgy is more than just a Sunday gathering of like-minded
Christians. The Divine Liturgy is the banquet. The Divine Liturgy is heaven on
earth and you have been invited to attend. Will you attend or will you make
excuses like the three men in the parable? Some will attend while others will
make excuses. You may have just bought a new house, or you may have paperwork
for the business. You may even be expecting family from out of town. The
parable is meant to teach how God will respond to us if we beg to be excused. He
will excuse us, not just for now but ban us for later. If you believe the
parable then you should know, if you are too busy for Church, you are too busy.
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