My reflection is from the Little White Book:
Jesus said: The king dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come.” Mt. 22:3
“In the Gospels, a banquet is traditionally the symbol for gathering in God’s kingdom, heaven.
In this week’s parable, Jesus looks ahead to the time when he has already died, risen, and ascended into heaven.
Parables are very roomy in their meaning, and have many applications. This parable makes me think about the Eucharist. The people were gathered from the streets to celebrate the wedding banquet of the king’s son, just as we gather together to celebrate the Eucharist.
As a Catholic, I believe that at every Eucharist I am joined with the whole Church worldwide and with the Church in heaven.
At the Eucharist, the altar is the great banquet table where Christ brings the whole Church together – the Church in heaven and on earth. people whom I love are part of this banquet. People I do not know are also part of this banquet. Fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, and children who have died are part of this banquet. Because the Lord rose from the dead, ascended to heaven, and has poured his own Spirit upon us, all of us have a bond of divine life that not even death can break.
Gathering together for Sunday Eucharist is as important for the Church as a Thanksgiving meal is for a family.
This should truly be for me.
Let us take time today to remember all of our loved ones those living and those who have died.