We live in an environment where there is a long queue of Invitations….

>> The world of entertainment constantly invites…
… to immerse and take pleasure in its glamour and allurements.

>> The world of sports repeatedly invites…
… to enjoy the thrills and excitement of various sports and games.

>> The world of corruption often invites..
… to be attracted in its trap of being dishonest and deceitful.

>> The world of sin often invites…
… us to be enticed to its power and lose control over ourselves.

Invitations are constantly abuzz in the air….

The Gospel of the Day also speaks of An Invitation: The Invitation to the Wedding Feast by a King (Mt 22:1-14)

Today we shall take another approach to this Theme in the Gospel & focus on another Invitation…
… which all of us constantly receive in our lives
>> And let us analyze, how do we respond to this Invitation of the Lord…

The Invitation is:  An Invitation to the Holy Eucharist, the Greatest Banquet of all!

When we read the sequence of today’s Gospel Passage… we can mark out a few aspects:

1. Firstly there is An Invitation…
… laced with a lot of expectations and hope…

2. Secondly, there is a Rejection…
… filled with many excuses and defenses…

3. Thirdly, there is another Invitation…
… open to all those who were not considered in the first place…

4. Fourthly, there is a Condemnation…
… of a person who fails to come in with the proper requirements…

In our reflection on the Invitation to the Holy Eucharist…
… we shall highlight only on the First Two Aspects
>> And consider also the Feelings and Emotions of the King, Who Invited…
… but who got Rejected!

Firstly,  The King extends a great Invitation to the Feast: 
>> The Holy Eucharist is the Greatest Feast that takes place in this world.

Every Holy Eucharist is a Great Moment when Heaven and Earth unite in a Divine Exchange!

When Jesus joined His Disciples in celebrating the Last Supper, he spoke these words:
“Do this in memory of me”…
>> It was a great Invitation by the Lord to each one of us, to partake of Him, while here on earth!

In the Gospel Passage, the King was greatly enthusiastic in calling the Invitees…
>> It’s a moment of great joy and happiness for Him, to invite people for the Wedding of His Son…

There is excitement in Him.
>> There is joy in Him.
>> There is deep hope in Him.
>> There is much exhilaration in Him!

God is greatly thrilled about each and every Holy Eucharist…
>> He is excited…
… that all those who partake in the Eucharist can enjoy deep love and peace and serenity!

>> He is joyful…
… because all those who participate in the Eucharist can seek for greater Holiness and Sanctity!

>> He is hopeful…
… since all those who take part in the Eucharist can look for a deeper union and oneness with Him!

>> He is exhilarated…
… since all who share in the Eucharist can rejoice in being stronger against the evils in the world!

Do we strive to share in this happiness of the King, who invites us to partake in the Great Feast of the Eucharist?

Secondly, there is a Rejection on the part of the ones who are invited for the Feast…

In the Gospel passage, the ones who are invited make many excuses to avoid going for the Feast…

Some ignored.
>> Some got busy with works and businesses.
>> Some terminated the messengers of the Invite.

God is often badly rejected and discarded when He invites for the Holy Eucharist…
There is sadness in God.
>> There is brokenness in God.
>> There is pain for God.
>> There are many tears for God.

>> He is sad…
… because many ignore and turn a cold shoulder to the Miracle of the Eucharist!

>> He is broken…
… because many get busy with works and find no time nor need for the Bread of Life!

>> He is pained…
… because many get occupied with their worldly business and scorn the Treasure of Love!

>> He is in tears…
… because many terminate the innate desire for the Eternal and slay the yearn for the Eucharist!

Do I ignore or get busy or be occupied in different businesses or  even terminate the Precious Invite of the Lord to be active sharers in the Most Holy Eucharist?

The world engages in Inviting us to many things…
… entertainment, sports, corruption, sin etc

Some of them are for pure time-pass…
>> Some of them are ways to destruction and devastation and death…

But, God invites us to the Greatest Banquet on the Earth….the Supreme Treat in this Universe…
>> Saying Yes to this invite…
… will lead us to Blessings and Grace and Holiness and Eternal Life!

The invite to the Great Banquet of the Holy Eucharist is at our doorstep…

Are we going to Ignore?
>> Or get Busy?
>> Or get Engaged in some business?
>> OR??

The answer is left to us……..

God Bless! Live Jesus!