Readings Isaiah 25:6-10, Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20, Matthew 22:1-14

Who is ready to Party?

I can say that when I hear the words party my ears perk up and I tend to get a little excited. The idea of being invited to a party of any kind is exciting because we tend to know we will have fun. If it is a Super Bowl party it tends to be a little louder and a little more raucous than a birthday party. People yelling at the TV for their team to win or laughing at the new commercials that the companies spend millions of dollars to produce and air.

Most of us enjoy being invited to a party because it makes us feel special, but there are times when we are invited to a party and we are hesitant about accepting. We need to know the attendee list or the occasion. We need to know this to help us determine whether or not we will be attending. If the people who will be there are not people we either like or want to be around then we politely decline. I am not sure of anyone here, but I know unlike the gospel today I have never beaten and killed the messenger inviting me to a party. If I have chosen not to go I have either politely declined or simply ignored the invite when it was sent in the mail.

The party that Isaiah is talking about today where all kinds of fun and food are is the invitation to have a relationship with God. We have all been given this invitation and over our lifetime depending on where we are have either accepted his invitation and are pursuing it, or we have declined the invitation. This timing has a lot to do with where we are personally in our lives, are we ready or interested in accepting the invitation. This invitation to have a relationship with Christ and share in the banquet is always open and he will continue to remind us of that over time.

We as Catholics have not always been told we can have a personal relationship with Christ outside of coming to mass and participating in the Eucharistic feast. Christ wants us to be in communion with him so that if we have accepted his invitation here we will receive our invitation to the party on the mountaintop. The other thing we always need to remember is that it is not just the “good” Christians that are called into this relationship. It is all of humanity that Christ invites to the party. While there are certainly plenty who reject this invite, some violently like we hear about in the Gospel today.

This idea that all are invited is something we all wrestle with at times. Does this really mean we need to go to the party with the murderers, the convicts, the poor, the handicapped? Yes that is exactly what both Isaiah and Christ are talking about today. All are called. We all need to be willing to be with others who are different than us and offend us. We see this where the King first invites all his friends and people in his circle of influence. When they chose not to come, whether it was politely or violently he moves on to all the remaining people in the kingdom. The party still goes on and those who reject his initial invitation will be invited again.

To be part of the party we need to be willing to have a relationship with Christ when we leave the church building today. We can do this in any number of ways, but the best way to do this is to allow ourselves to be filled with Christ’s love. While we leave here after taking the Eucharist filled with Christ we need to keep that spirit and build on it through the week. We need to set aside time in our busy week to build on our own personal relationship with God. This is first and foremost in being able to live with Christ. We need to take time to build our relationship with Christ. Whether it be by watching EWTN, looking at the bible, or simply by sitting and praying it all helps to remind us the Christ wants to be a part of our lives. We also need to take this knowledge in Christ and our relationship out and express it in the way we treat others. We need to participate in life outside these church walls and treat all people with the respect and dignity that all human life deserves.

As Paul reminds the Phillipians we can attain all things through him who strengthens us. Christ will strengthen us to be able to withstand the pressures of the world and move forward. He can insure that the party we have here on earth is one we can get to and enjoy regardless of the invited guests. In order to attain this strength all we need to do is invite him to our party. The problem comes up when we decide who is worthy and who is not based on their outward appearance, or actions similar to the king tossing out and binding the person who showed up not dressed appropriately for the wedding feast.

We have the synod of Bishops going on now to see how the church can help strengthen the family and those in marriage, as these seem to be under attack and somewhat tossed to the wayside in today’s society. Everyone keeps trying to get information on what they are discussing and how these discussions will lead to changes in what the church teaches and does. See even the church struggles in its relationships at times and needs to refocus on what is important. We do not know fully what is being discussed, but we will at some time in the future. When they publish their discussions and begin a plan to implement whatever changes the Holy Spirit has helped them decide upon. We all need to remember that regardless of our preconceived notions of what they should be working on the Spirit is guiding them forward because they have invited him to their party.

To recap, there is a party going on and we are all invited to participate in this party regardless of whether we want to or not. The outcome of what happens to us for eternity will be determined by our willingness to participate, not only with those who are like minded, but with all of Gods people. If we follow Christ’s and the prophets lead we can accomplish not only great things but survive all the trials and tribulations of life. So who is willing to go with me and put aside all the petty differences and party on? The other option is to be like those who turned down the king’s invitation in a violent way. It may not be an easy road to the party but I am going to do my best to walk that path. I hope all of you here will join me as well as inviting others to join us along the way.