The master then ordered the servant,
'Go out to the highways and hedgerows
and make people come in that my home may be filled.
For, I tell you, none of those men who were invited will taste my dinner.'"
Saint Luke recounts a familiar story in today's gospel, but it differs from Matthew and Mark's versions with its lack of violence. Saint Luke tells us the master was outraged after hearing the excuses the invited gave, but he didn't send an army to destroy their cities or kill anyone. Neither had they killed his servants and his son.
Rather, he sent his servants first to bring in the city's poor, crippled, blind and lame; and then to haul in any homeless persons they found in the rural highways and hedgerows.
We should also notice that Saint Luke offers no particular reason for the feast; this is neither a wedding nor a funeral. It was just "a great dinner to which he invited many."
In other words, the master would not be satisfied until he had proven his superabundant generosity. He wanted to give a great feast and he needed a houseful of guests to do so, "Come, everything is now ready."
The invited guests have their excuses for not coming, and we can suppose they were legitimate reasons. One had just bought a new field; and another, five yoke of oxen. These are huge expenses and the buyers are eager to examine their new purchases. A third had recently married and was eager to spend time with his wife.
Nor had the master asked anyone about their schedule and availability. He was in the mood for a dinner, he prepared for it, and he invited the guests. He would not be deterred by their refusal. He expected everyone to drop everything they were doing and come.
"Forget the elitist snobs!" he might have said to his servants. "I don't care who comes in! The dinner is ready; I want guests. Get somebody in here -- now!"
This theme of God's superabundant generosity is a constant in the Bible. It's there in the Creation story and in the story of Adam and Eve in Eden. They had everything including each other. What more could they ask? It appears in Exodus and Deuteronomy as he promises and proves his ability to protect and provide for them. They should have three lavish feasts every year, and invite everyone. Hang the expense! You have only to share and share alike.
The reluctance of the invited guests is also a familiar theme of the Bible. Despite God's election, they are not an extraordinary group of people. They share the same human nature with its insecurities and fears as all mortals.
And finally, the servants; who are they? That's us, who will enjoy the banquet with the poor, crippled, blind and lame; and the homeless of highways and hedgerows.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.