1 John 3:13-18 + Luke 14:16-24
The Lord has prepared a supper for sinful mankind, a supper of grace and love, a supper of acceptance and eternal joy. To come to His supper is to enter His kingdom, to be adopted as a beloved child and heir of God the Father. That happens through faith in Christ Jesus, who suffered and died for the sins of all, that all might repent and believe in Him. And that repentance and believing come through the work of the Holy Spirit as He sends out the invitation to the supper through the preaching of the Gospel, the invitation to enter God’s holy Church through Baptism and faith in Christ and to live within His Church as those who have been called to live a life of love.
But many of those who are invited have better things to do, things that pertain to this earthly life. Jesus’ sacrifice means little to them. The love of God has no practical application in their lives. They imagine that they’re fine on their own. If they worship God at all, it’ll be on their terms, in their way. They don’t think they need His Church or the ministry that Christ instituted.
Still, the Father sends His Spirit to keep inviting people through the ministry of the Word. There is still room, for now. There is still time to turn away from sin and from a love for this world. There is still time to seek the things of God and to receive the ministry of His Church.
But that time will soon run out, and the invitation will expire. So don’t be foolish. Come to the supper and live as a member of Christ’s Church! That means daily contrition and repentance. It means trusting in Christ every day. It means hearing and learning God’s Word and receiving His Sacraments. It means entrusting your soul and body to Him continually. And it means living in the world as children of God and not as children of the devil.
You weren’t worthy of the invitation. No one is. But now that you have been invited, now that you have come, live as those who are worthy of the invitation. Love as Christ loved. Love your brothers and sisters in Christ to the point of being ready to lay down your life for them. And if you love your brother enough to lay down your life for him, then what won’t you be willing to spare to help him in his time of need? Offer him your time. Your friendship. A kind word. A sacrificial deed. And, as far as it depends on you, make living within the Christian Church such a pleasant thing for your fellow Christians that the Church may serve, as God intended, as a peaceful and safe haven from the world’s hatred.
