Plus one

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110425.cfm

When I read today's Gospel, I get an odd sense that we are missing some part of the story. Now since it is a parable, there is no 'other part of the story', but I still can't escape the feeling that we are missing something. Why are the invited guests so eager to find a way out of attending?

Listen to the excuses: I have purchased a field, or oxen, or married a woman. To these my mind responds: couldn't you tend to these things on any other day? Why are they so easily drawn away from this great banquet being offered? Here is my answer: they must either not really know the host, or they must think the banquet won't be all that special.

My friends, this is what is happening every single Sunday. There are hundreds of OUR NEIGHBORS that have been invited to the banquet. Actually, many who have been prepared their whole life for it, who are choosing other things: I have to go to my son's swim practice, I need to cut my grass, Sunday is my only day to sleep in, I have to clean my house, I have to do grocery shopping, etc., etc. Now I don't say this to condemn them, but to observe that for them, either they don't know the host, or they don't think the banquet (Mass) is all that special.

Now I think that many or most of you, as faithful readers here, are probably coming to the banquet each Sunday, but I won't assume that. In any case, it is the job of those who are attending to bring others - a plus one, you might say. This inviting might take some time. When I worked in a corporate environment, people would ask: "What did you do this weekend?" I would reply: "Well we went to Mass on Sunday morning, we have a great church community, and it's always a great way to kick off my week." I wasn't inviting them, but I was trying to paint a picture of something inviting. Do we portray our faith as something inviting? Do we portray it at all?

I often think that Sunday Mass can be a hard sell, especially if those we want to invite are not familiar with Catholic Mass. I always want there to be a 'front porch' where people can come and experience the faith community, perhaps be exposed to the truth, and most importantly encounter the love that God has for them, both directly and through our faith community. This can happen at many open-door church events. In recent months, I have begun something called way | truth | life. It is the place of encounter where those who are just encountering The Lord can come to know Him and the truth of His teachings in a casual, lively environment.

Whether it is Mass, a church program or bible study, or a way | truth | life Sunday event, COME and bring a plus one. God is asking us directly to go and invite the world - start with your plus one.