Accept the Invitation - December 8, 2023
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 16, 17, Amos 5:1-17; Jude 1-16; Matt. 22:1-14
Today’s Reflection:
Once, I was in conversation with someone who had gotten scary news, earth-shattering news really. I sat with this woman as she wondered what her suddenly tenuous future might look like and she said, "I guess this is what I have been going to church for all of these years. All of those services and all of that studying, and all of that time with the community, hopefully has helped prepare me to face what is ahead."
I was amazed by the wisdom and equanimity in my friend's words. Since then, I have watched her gyrate from sad, to grateful, to angry, to "choosing joy." All aspects of her response are real and faith-filled.
Truth is, every one of us will have earth-shattering news one day--about our own lives or the life of someone we love. How does our faith inform our responses to illness, or death, or tragedy? I am wondering if we are not better equipped to choose peace, and joy, and gratitude in the midst of our troubles if we have been nourished at God's table and sustained in God's community. How does a pattern of daily prayer and study and reading scripture expand our understanding of God? How does showing up to care for our neighbor humble us to receive care one day? I am not implying that those who struggle during life's challenges have been unfaithful--the struggle is valid and real; and the potential for eventual comfort is real.
Our Gospel reading today is another example of Jesus using a jarring-to-us, genre popular in his day-apocalyptic preaching. Jesus warns that those who refuse God's invitation to be God's guest at the banquet of love, will experience the deepest desolation and anguish. We all experience desolation and darkness at times. Sometimes, it is through the hardships and heartbreaks in our lives that we come to the realization that we cannot manage life on our own--we need God and we need each other.
Every moment of every day, God calls us into deeper and deeper love.
When we continue to refuse the invitation, or show up half-hearted, we waste the opportunity to grow in love and strength and peace which surpasses all understanding. In the midst of the busyness of this season, I encourage us to KEEP AWAKE and accept God's invitation at the banquet of love--and invite others to the table as well.
Yours in Christ,
Mary Bea+
Questions for Self-Reflection:
What have you been holding back? What would it look like to bring our full selves to the banquet?