Who Will Come to the Table of the Lord?

Prayer-Soldier

And the Lord of hosts shall make unto all people in this mountain, a feast of fat things, a feast of wine, of fat things full of marrow, of wine purified from the lees. And he shall destroy in this mountain the face of the bond with which all pie were tied, and the web that he over all nations. He shall cast death down headlong forever: and the Lord God shall wipe away tears from every face, and the reproach of his people he shall take away from off the whole earth: for the Lord has spoken it. And they shall say in that day: Lo, this is our God, we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord, we have patiently waited for him, we shall rejoice and be joyful in his salvation. For the hand of the Lord shall rest in this mountain: and Moab shall be trodden down under him, as straw is broken in pieces with the wain. (Isaiah 25:6-10)

I know both how to be brought low, and I know how to abound: (everywhere, and in all things I am instructed) both to be full, and to be hungry; both to abound, and to suffer need. I can do all these things in him who strengthen me. Nevertheless you have done well in communicating to my tribulation. And may my God supply all your want, according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to God and our Father be glory world without end. Amen. (Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20)

And Jesus answering, spoke again in parables to them, saying: The kingdom of heaven is likened to a king, who made a marriage for his son. And he sent his servants, to call them that were invited to the marriage; and they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying: Tell them that were invited, Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and all things are ready: come to the marriage.

But they neglected, and went their own ways, one to his farm, and another to his merchandise. And the rest laid hands on his servants, and having treated them contemptuously, put them to death. But when the king had heard of it, he was angry, and sending his armies, he destroyed those murderers, and burnt their city. Then he said to his servants: The marriage indeed is ready; but they that were invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the highways; and as many as you shall find, call to the marriage. And his servants going forth into the ways, gathered together all that they found, both bad and good: and the marriage was filled with guests.

And the king went in to see the guests: and he saw there a man who had not on a wedding garment. And he said to him: Friend, how did you come not having a wedding garment? But he was silent. Then the king said to the waiters: Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the exterior darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen. (Matthew 22:1-14)

To what banquet are we called? Though we may be amazed at the wonders of the world, there is a place beyond our imagination where there is no sorrow, there is no misery, there is no struggle; for it is filled with the peace and love of the Lord.

Those who are invited must respond to the call, but those who come shall rejoice for the blessings of the salvation offered to them. What assails us in this world will not follow us into the place of the Lord; for in the presence of God, in the warmth of His love, in the wonders of His mercy, evil cannot tread. This is the promise for the children of God who believe in Him, a promise offered for all time, a promise which eternally conquers death.

Whatever our circumstances, we are but a few choices from providence or poverty. What we gain or lack within this world is not a matter solely of our control. What comes our way is partially of the choices we make and the choices of others. Whatever our tribulations of this time, though, they will not last when we place ourselves in the hands of the Lord.

As we enjoy our blessings, we should offer thanks and praise to our God who gives them; nor should we take for granted our blessings, rather, we should ask how we might bless others. God does not grant us our gifts so that we might only serve ourselves, rather, He asks us to love one another; therefore, we should also serve one another so that our blessings might be shared.

For many in this world, we measure our worth by the things we posses, but God did not make us for the pursuit of things. What many miss is that the wealth of our lives is not found in things, but in what we are able to share of ourselves. The man without two coins to hold may still have riches far greater than the man with a mountain of gold if the former has love to give and the latter has none.

We might enjoy our comforts, but what do we enjoy if we find ourselves alone? Our true wealth is found in what we share of ourselves. Blessed too, are we, when we find the wealth of love which can only be given by God.

It is to His banquet to which all are invited, but not all will chose to come. Many times He will call, many times he will send His messengers; but some will chose other interests, other ways. Some will disparage what He offers.

Some complain, they do not have the time to spend with Him. They have other things they must do. They are lured by pursuits of this world, though He waits patiently for their prayer. He invites many to His table, but too many schedules are full. So many important things consume us, but at the final hour, what will those things mean?

Blessed are those who respond to Him, but not all will come according to His will. Some will seek to bring God upon their terms, shape God according to their rules, twist His commandments to their desires. In their pursuits, they will make God in their image, they will seek to conform Him to their agendas; such are the ways of false prophets. How is it that some would expect to reject the Word without consequence?

Blessed are those who repent their ways and come to His banquet, for their reward will not be the fatted calves or the sweetest wines; their true reward will be the eternal mercy and grace of the Lord. When we receive the eternal love and peace of God, for what greater wealth could we ever ask?

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier