“Everything is prepared, come to the feast”
 
Matthew 22:4
 
The image of the banquet or feast is very popular in the Holy Scriptures. As a whole the banquet refers to the God’s providence and his generosity for those who follow his ways. Jesus uses the theme of the banquet in the New Testament as the image of the Heavenly Kingdom that He is about to start. For this reason, we should ask ourselves what is our idea of the heavenly banquet to which we are invited. A first idea that should challenge us is the restrictive desire that we usually tend to make at the moment of inviting others. On the contrary, Jesus invites everyone to the banquet of His kingdom. Secondly, when we see that so many people starve to death or that one nation has it all while others die of hunger; while condemning their false leaders, we must seek to share what we have and can. Thirdly, if our parish is community of communities, the proper thing would be NOT to reject any of our brothers or sisters for their identification with another group. Rather, the parish or the Church is called, in the words of Pope Francis, to "build bridges". It is only when we are open to others that will attract those who want to join our cause for a better world, full of peace and solidarity with those who need it most. The Gospel is clear; we must not only enter the banquet but be considered worthy to remain in it.
 
 
Fr. Hernán, S.J.