Have you RSVP’d to the eternal banquet yet?
Feasts pervade our readings for this Sunday, as we ponder
the question: what does it take to have
a seat at God’s eternal banquet for us in heaven? To
start with, Matthew’s gospel presents yet another parable designed to
disconcert the Pharisees: Jesus tells
the story of the king’s banquet, to which those
who were invited were not fit to come, at which point said king opens his
invitation to the entire community, bad
and good alike. It’s not enough just
to show up, though: the man who arrives
without the appropriate wedding garment
– the man who has not worked for right relationship with God – is cast out; he is not spiritually ready
for salvation. To wear the wedding
garment is thus to demonstrate you have taken up the work of God, opening your
heart to allow his love to flow through your life.
Writing to the Philippians, Paul gives concrete witness to
the love he has allowed to flow through him.
He has known abundance as well as want:
I have learned the secret of being
well-fed and of going hungry. What
is that secret? That, no matter the
circumstances, God is there for him, so long as righteousness – right
relationship with God – remains his goal.
Open to that relationship, Paul can anticipate the (to his mind,
imminent) abundance of the end time without concern for the feasts or famine of
his current circumstances: My God will fully supply whatever you need,
in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
The prophet Isaiah’s description of this wonderful repast
includes rich food and choice wines,
a state of abundance where no one will want for anything. Even the fear of death has been removed, for
God will destroy death forever. Psalm 23 extends this imagery to suggest
God’s ultimate fulfillment of the covenant:
God as Shepherd provides ample food, water, and protection for his
flock; then, the psalmist anticipates an abundant victory banquet reminiscent
of Isaiah: my cup overflows. Thus may
the psalmist know God’s goodness and
kindness – when he has remained in right relationship to God, faithful to
covenant.
Are you ready to open your heart to right relationship with
God? Answering ‘yes’ to this question is
tantamount to an RSVP in the affirmative:
let your love flow through me, o Lord, that I might dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come!
This post is based on Fr. Pat's Scripture class.
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