Roman Catholic The Word Among Us Daily Mass Reading & Daily Meditation for Tuesday, 4 November 2014

Roman Catholic The Word Among Us Daily Mass Reading & Daily Meditation for Tuesday, 4 November 2014 
Meditation: Luke 14: The Story of the Dinner Party
15 That triggered a response from one of the guests: “How fortunate the one who gets to eat dinner in God’s kingdom!”
16-17 Jesus followed up. “Yes. For there was once a man who threw a great dinner party and invited many. When it was time for dinner, he sent out his servant to the invited guests, saying, ‘Come on in; the food’s on the table.’
18 “Then they all began to beg off, one after another making excuses. The first said, ‘I bought a piece of property and need to look it over. Send my regrets.’
19 “Another said, ‘I just bought five teams of oxen, and I really need to check them out. Send my regrets.’
20 “And yet another said, ‘I just got married and need to get home to my wife.’
21 “The servant went back and told the master what had happened. He was outraged and told the servant, ‘Quickly, get out into the city streets and alleys. Collect all who look like they need a square meal, all the misfits and homeless and wretched you can lay your hands on, and bring them here.’
22 “The servant reported back, ‘Master, I did what you commanded—and there’s still room.’
23-24 “The master said, ‘Then go to the country roads. Whoever you find, drag them in. I want my house full! Let me tell you, not one of those originally invited is going to get so much as a bite at my dinner party.’”
Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop
Come, everything is now ready. (Luke 14:17)
You’re invited—to a dinner, a wedding, a birthday party, or a quilting bee. Whatever the event, those two words stir our hearts and imaginations. Someone thought of me! Someone wants my company. Someone looks forward to spending time with me.
Jesus knew the longing to be included that is common to every human being. He also knew the Father’s longing to relate personally with each of us. Believe it or not, almighty God enjoys the pleasure of your company.
That is the underlying message in today’s parable. Yes, some of the Pharisees and lawyers present might have felt stung by the way Jesus called out their complacency. And yes, the invitation to the “salvation banquet” is undeniably important. None of us wants to presume that we’ll dine with God in heaven merely because of how we have followed the rules here. But this parable is more than a scolding! Jesus is asking us to consider the joy and privilege of being invited into his Father’s presence.
You’re invited! The God of the universe is inviting you—personally! He says to you, “Come, dine with me. Sit next to me, and talk with me.” Let that invitation sink in. God wants to share his thoughts with you. Not only that, but he is inviting you to share your thoughts with him. He is eager to spend time with you—not just at the banquet of the Mass but in daily prayer and in simple conversation as you go through your day.
It’s easy to be occupied mentally, to be busy physically, to have excellent reasons why “now” is not a convenient time. Still, God is inviting you! He’s worth rearranging your schedule, just as you would cancel all your other appointments if you were invited to a state dinner or if you had the chance to meet your favorite performer backstage. So ask the Lord to stir your heart once again today, so that you can accept his invitation, even at the expense of the other good things you have to do.
“Father, I accept your invitation to spend time with you today! Thank you for thinking of me and inviting me.” Amen!

Philippians 2:5-8 Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.
9-11 Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.
Psalm 22:25-26 Here in this great gathering for worship
    I have discovered this praise-life.
And I’ll do what I promised right here
    in front of the God-worshipers.
Down-and-outers sit at God’s table
    and eat their fill.
Everyone on the hunt for God
    is here, praising him.
“Live it up, from head to toe.
    Don’t ever quit!”
27-28 From the four corners of the earth
    people are coming to their senses,
    are running back to God.
Long-lost families
    are falling on their faces before him.
God has taken charge;
    from now on he has the last word.
29 All the power-mongers are before him
    —worshiping!
All the poor and powerless, too
    —worshiping!
Along with those who never got it together
    —worshiping!
30-31 Our children and their children
    will get in on this
As the word is passed along
    from parent to child.
Babies not yet conceived
    will hear the good news—
    that God does what he says.
____________________________