Invitation. How do we approach Jesus’ invitation?

An invitation to an important celebration is required. Sometimes we look forward to it impatiently. Jesus says to each of us: “Blessed is every one that shall partake of the feast in the kingdom of God” (Luke 14:15). Thanks to human words, we cannot so easily express God’s communion with his people. The fullness of happiness and joy that flows from this community uses the image of the feast, and the kingdom of God is likened to a dinner that many refuse to come to, so the host must invite dubious guests to fill the wedding hall.

The wedding feast parable has two parts: an invitation and a rejection.
In Jewish and early Christian literature, the kingdom of God is often compared to a feast. Jesus’ dining with the torments and sinners, and especially the last supper with his disciples, symbolize what life will be like in the kingdom of God. Using the image of a wedding feast to teach about God’s kingdom is part of the tradition. A significant motif of the parable we have heard is the invitation. Some accept the king’s invitation; others do not. God, through His servants, Jesus, and his disciples, expresses his invitation. It was most suitable for those for whom Jewish leaders rejected him and even treated the messengers forcefully. Therefore, the invitation was offered to people outside on the road, and they accepted it. This group represented people on the fringes of society in Israel (torments and sinners who received Jesus’ message). This parable is a sketch of the history of salvation from a Christian perspective. It is not enough to be called – baptized; it is not enough to accept an invitation to a wedding reception. It depends much more on what we will look like before God. The parable tells us that God wanted to establish a society that would live with his son Jesus Christ in the same relationship as a bride with his bridegroom.

The Lord offers us unimaginable good things, and we reject them and often do not appreciate them properly. Invitations to the wedding represent, e.g., those who are swallowed up in their activity as if they did not need God. Time and time again, God reiterates his desire to engage in a loving dialogue with creatures that will take its final form in heaven. Rejecting God’s invitation, the way of life as if God were not important in him. People’s excuses from the parable are essentially the same as some people use today. However, the Lord wants his house to be filled. He never resigns from his saving effort. No one is left out of God’s plan of salvation. But a person who chooses to ignore the invitations offered by the Lord excludes himself.

A wedding feast from the Gospel awaits all those invited today. Jesus, in the manner of bread and in his giving love, reiterates his invitation. Not forcing, but waiting for our answer. God is continually looking for a way to approach everyone. The Eucharist and its frequent communion are certain for us that we are on the right path to an eternal wedding feast.