The Invitation to His Table

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2014 9:20 pm Post subject: The Invitation to His Table

The Invitation to His Table

Scripture:

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 people were tied, and the web that he began over all nations. He shall cast death down headlong for ever: 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 (every where 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 things in him who strengthens 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 beeves and fatlings are killed, and all things are ready. Come you to the marriage. But they neglected and went their 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 came you in hither not having on 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)

Reflection:

His desire for the children of his creation is love and the day shall come that people of all nations will join in the full understanding of His desire. Sadly, it is the way of many that they do not seek the ways of the One who created them, but they seek the ways of the one who deceives. They do not know the peace which could be theirs if they would invite Him within their hearts and listen to His Word. They do not comprehend that it is the ways of charity and love that enable hands to join together to do great things and to spread peace from heart to heart.

The evil one seduces the weak of heart to stir violence and set one against another. The evil one deceives the blind of heart to believe the ways of the world are better than the ways of God. The evil one lures the selfish of heart to withhold the charity and love which may build and heal. The evil one whispers to the arrogant of heart so that they believe that the One who created them does not exist and that they are the supreme intelligence. Though He invites all the children of His creation to His table, the heart which harbors evil and the heart consumed by sin do not heed His call and, therefore, left to their own pursuits, remain hungry.

Blessed are those who trust in His mercy and love, for the joy of the Holy Spirit shall be theirs. Blessed are those who open their hearts to Him, for He will guide them to the celebration shared by all who enter into His kingdom. Blessed are those who study and pray for the wisdom of His Word, for they shall learn how to spread blessings from heart to heart. As love rules the soul, the evil one is held at bay.

As all walk the journey of their days, some will be in need and others will have the gifts from which to provide. Some will need helping hands and some will need prayers. The days, too, shall pass, where the one in need shall become the one who can provide and the one who provided may become the one in need. As the world shares with helping hands, sorrow and anguish is vanquished. As all join together in charity and love, the riches of the Lord will abound in every heart, unleashing the joy which can only come through the ways of His Word.

The question for the children of His creation is what do they seek to accept? Do they seek the ways of the world or His ways? Do they seek the ways of emptiness or fullness? Do they seek the ways of sorrow or joy? Do they seek violence or peace? Do they seek the anguish brought through enmity or the comfort shared through kindness? The choices of evil and good are before them, and what they do shall reveal what is in their hearts.

He invites all to His table, for He loves all the children of His creation and wishes for all to celebrate with Him. Sadly, too many are preoccupied with the ways of the world to yield time for Him. They do not know what they leave behind as they turn their back upon Him. They do not know what they yield when they pursue the ways of the world over His ways. They do not know what could be theirs if they but came to His feast.

What is a life which toils in the field, but never kneels at the table of prayer? What is the life which receives the riches of the land, but does not receive the riches of the heart? What is the life which struggles alone and never takes the hand of grace, mercy and love extended to them? It is a life which takes the days for granted, finds the joys fleeting and suffers desolation as the reward at the end. It is a life which wanders, but is never satisfied. It is a life where what is received shall be lost; gathering, but never keeping, always returning to emptiness.

Blessed are those who come to His feast, for they will be forever satisfied. Blessed are those who allow their hearts to be filled with His Holy Spirit, for the blessings they share shall also be gathered within their hearts. Blessed are those who glorify and praise His name, for what they share will be forever theirs in His kingdom. Blessed are those who prepare to sit as His table, for they will receive His warm embrace; they will receive what the world cannot satisfy.

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