October 09, 2011
28th Sunday Ordinary Time
I received a formal invitation to Bishop Kmiec's Jubilee celebration -- all priests did. Last week I received an e-mail reminder from the Bishop's secretary: "Are you coming? Return the reply card." We have a similar formal then informal invitation in the parable of Jesus. The king invites some leading subjects to attend the wedding of his son. They refuse and abuse the messengers. Enraged, the king sends his servants with invites to the common folk on the streets. The banquet is full of guests. Jesus is directing the parable to priests and elders (religious leaders) who object to his eating and drinking with sinners and outcasts. Jesus is fulfilling the vision of Isaiah when people will be drawn to the Holy Mountain to enjoy the table of God's blessings. A banquet or feast is still a beautiful metaphor in our society. Thanksgiving Day and dinner are a good example. Yet there are many who do not feel that they have a place at the table of plenty. Protesters on Wall Street are saying something to us and to bankers and brokers. Profit is not the only consideration. Human beings are not commodities. Our greatest resource is people. We gather at a table, an altar. We are mindful of God's providence and give thanks. We are also mindful of so many who have little or nothing. We cannot presents our gifts without being conscious of people in need. St. Paul, in our second reading, writes to the Philippians to acknowledge their kindness to him during a time of distress. This is not an easy thing for Paul to do since he prides himself in being independent. The Diocese is coordinating a food appeal for the poor that coincides with Bishop's Kmiec's golden anniversary of priesthood. Children in our school and religious education programs will be bringing canned goods and non-perishable items to be given to FISH of East Aurora -- providing food for people in our neighborhood. You can help too. Boxes are in place at church entrances. All of us who gather at the Lord's Table are called to share and serve in imitation of Jesus Christ.
Previous:
27th Sunday Ordinary Time
