Are We Prepared for
the Great Banquet?
Date: 24 March 2024
Introduction
What does it take to enter the Kingdom of Heaven? Is it enough to simply be baptized as Catholics, or is there something more expected of us? Jesus shared many parables about banquets. What is He trying to teach us through them?
In Matthew 21:28-31, Jesus asks:
“What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir’; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?”
They said, “The first.”
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you.”
It is clear from this parable that entering the Kingdom of Heaven requires more than just baptism. So, how prepared are we to meet the Bridegroom?
From the Gospel:
The Parable of the Great Banquet
Jesus tells the Parable of the Great Banquet in Matthew 22:1-14 and Luke 14:15-24.
- In Luke’s account, a man hosts a dinner and sends his servants to call the invited guests. All decline because they are busy with worldly concerns. The master then instructs the servants to invite anyone willing from the streets.
- In Matthew’s account, a king holds a wedding banquet for his son. The invited guests refuse, so the king invites anyone from the streets. However, the story continues: one guest not wearing the proper wedding gown is thrown out.
The original invitees represent the Jews, who were the first called to God’s invitation. When they refused, the invitation was extended to all willing to come.
Reflection for Today
We, as baptized Catholics, have been invited to God’s banquet. But do we care? Will we prioritize the call of the King over our worldly responsibilities, or will the banquet feel like a burden?
The story challenges us to consider:
- How prepared are we for the Great Banquet?
- How much attention are we giving to spiritual readiness versus worldly distractions?
As in Matthew, not wearing the wedding gown symbolizes lack of preparation, responsibility, and respect for God’s invitation.
What It Means for Us
God has blessed each of us with unique gifts. We are called to develop and use these gifts to serve humanity — this is our gift back to the Father. Jesus reminds us of this in the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30). Our wedding gown represents these gifts:
- Do we nurture and maintain our gifts to wear them with pride on the day of the Great Banquet?
- Or do we bury them, leaving them unused until the last moment?
Similarly, the Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids (Matthew 25:1-13) reminds us that readiness matters. All ten were eager to meet the Bridegroom, but only five were prepared. The others missed the banquet because they failed to prepare in advance.
Baptism makes us bridesmaids called to meet the Bridegroom. Our preparedness — how we live our lives and use our gifts — determines whether we are admitted into the banquet.
Living the Will of the Father
Jesus says in Matthew 7:21:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.”
The Father’s will is that we use our gifts to serve humanity. Actions matter. Living in accordance with God’s will is our wedding gown, and maintaining it requires daily effort.
In Matthew 21:28-31, the parable of the two sons reminds us to actively work in God’s vineyard. Our families and responsibilities are gifts from God, part of the vineyard, but not the entirety of our calling.
As Luke 21:34-36 teaches:
“Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things and stand before the Son of Man.”
And in Philippians 4:6-7:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Through prayer and faithful action, we maintain our wedding gown, keep our lamps filled with oil, and remain prepared to meet the Bridegroom.
Conclusion
As we prepare for the Great Banquet, let us examine our spiritual readiness:
- Is our wedding gown in good condition?
- Are our lamps filled with oil?
- Have we invested our talents wisely?
Through prayer, service, and faithful living, we can meet the Bridegroom with confidence and joy on the day of the Great Feast.
References
- Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. © 1989 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
- Picture Credits: Wikimedia Commons Duke of Lancaster dining with the King of Portugal
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