Today we have two clear and poignant readings. The first is about life as a member of the Mystical Body of Christ. The gospel is about the justifiable anger of the host who replaced invited guests at a dinner with the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.
Both of these stories are about God’s loving and merciful plan to make of all nations, one people of God - all existing in one community of mutual support and care; one community of worship, celebration and service!
The first reading tells those who are already baptized Christians to behave like it! Use all of the gifts that the Spirit has given each of you in his own measure for the good of the whole community, the whole Body. Above all: your love must be sincere, and the hallmark of membership in the group. Looking out for one another’s needs is to be of paramount importance! And not only are Christians to look out for Christians - they are also to regard everyone else, as they regard each other. When love fills the whole world - then God fills the whole world - and the world can be transformed by the working of the Holy Spirit.
In the gospel passage we see that for Jesus there was an order of things: his own Jewish people were supposed to be the first to receive the gift: to become members of this world-wide Body of interrelated members - but, as the passage suggests, most of them had a variety of excuses as to why they did not want to be included. Many of these reasons survive to this very day! And among the peoples of the world - similar excuses are keeping them from their rightful place - as invited guests - at the Table of the Lord!
This day may we judge no one - but, pray rather that all may be One; that the Body of Christ may be fully unified and functional; and that one day this will all lead to a marvelous nuptial banquet feast in the Kingdom - when time shall cease - and we will have for ever to celebrate LOVE!
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