05-11-24 Jalan Raya Menuju Surga: Mencari dan Menyelamatkan Jiwa

Tuesday 31st week in ordinary time "Lk 14:15-24" Jesus said, "A man once gave a great banquet, and invited many; and at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come; for all is now ready.' But they all alike began to make excuses...Then the householder in anger said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame.' And the servant said, 'Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.' And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.'" When the banquet was ready, the man sent his servant to let the guests know that it was time to come. He didn't go himself but sent his servants. Nowadays we don't have servants to deliver an invitation to a banquet or party, but people still send out invitations by post or email. It's a matter of courtesy, as well as respect: it allows a guest to choose freely, rather than feel obliged to accept an invitation so as not to appear ungrateful. The parable represents Our Lord's invitation to go to Heaven. And for that invitation He uses servants to tell people that God has invited them to an eternal banquet with Him. It's interesting to consider that the servant fulfilled his duty faithfully and when some declined the invitation he didn't stop. He went to find more guests; and later still, even more. He didn't get discouraged. God continues to need servants who will invite people to the Heavenly banquet. He is asking you and me to go to the "highways and hedges" of the world to bring people to Him. A French priest, Fr. Michel Quoist (1918-1997) imagined Jesus speaking to us like this: "Son", Jesus says, "out of all eternity, I chose you. I need you. I need your hands to continue to bless, I need your lips to continue to speak, I need your body to continue to suffer, I need your heart to continue to love, I need you to continue to save; stay with me". Well, Lord, here I am. You can count on my hands, my lips, my body, my heart; You can count on me to help You save souls! And I also want to finish my prayer today asking for help for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.