Reflections on Scripture | Tuesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time

Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

Choose either the video or audio below.

Gospel
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.'"

Reflection

It's interesting that Jesus is presenting everything that God is offering to people as a gift. He is the one pursuing them. He wants them to respond by coming to him. We see that in this gospel. And what's interesting to me is those who are busy were examining or evaluating things that they might do, and they are not taking the time to evaluate or examine what it is that God is offering them.

It's a kind of lack of interest and it concerns God deeply. And He is telling people that when they don't do that, they are losing something that God so desperately wants them to have, that it makes him very, very upset, sad even. Because they're not looking at or examining the reality of the life God has called them to live.

Closing Prayer

Father, open our eyes, open our hearts, are wills, our minds, so we can take in the most beautiful message that you're giving us, a way of life that we long for at the deepest level of who we are. Help us to be aware of ourselves, and you, and the kingdom you're inviting us to, help us to examine it and choose it freely. That's what you will. And ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Kyle Cross