October 13, 2002

When an invitation to a party arrives we have a decision to make. Will we accept or decline? What will we wear? Will it fit? Sometimes it seems easier just to stay home. Today's Scriptures describe the heavenly banquet to which all have been invited. WILL WE COME TO THE FEAST?

As Catholics, we are invited to "come to the feast" at significant moments in our lives. Baptisms, First Communions, Marriages, Ordinations, and Funeral Rites are all commonly celebrated within the Feast of th Eucharist. The clothes we wear from the baptismal garments to the funeral pall, from fancy wedding garbs to simple white albs – reflect our baptismal commitment to be faithful to Christ until we come to the eternal heavenly feast that our Eucharistic celebrations anticipate. All are invited to come to the feast. All are invited to dress in the garment of Christ. Not all respond to the invitation.

It has often been asked what would happen if some Sunday morning, praying as we always do for Christ to come again, Christ did actually return? Would we come to his Feast? Would we prefer our small private gathering to the huge mass of people we rely on don't want to know? Would we be found wearing the garment of faithfulness we were given in Baptism? Where would we be on that day?

Over the past few weeks, the Scriptures have provided us with a feast of images of God's abundant mercy. Today's image of her heavenly banquet both complete the picture of God's generosity and shifts our attention to our response to God's generous invitation. Until the end of our liturgical year, we will reflect on the garment of faithfulness that we have been invited in Baptism to bring "unstained to the judgment seat of our Lord Jesus Christ."

SO THE QUESTION: WHAT FEAST OR SACRAMENTAL MOMENT HAD SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE IN YOUR LIFE?

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