Come to the Banquet

8/22/2019

Step #1: Lectio / Read

Click the link below or open your Bible to the passage and read through the reading at least once, paying attention to what is happening in the text.

Matthew 22:1-14

Step #2: Meditatio / Meditate

Use the following meditation to help you reflect more deeply on the Scripture (you may want to read the passage again).

"Everything is ready, come to the feast." This is what the king instructs his servants to say on their second attempt to invite people to his son's wedding feast. I love that the king sends the servants out a second time. The first time, no one listens to the servants, but the king has them go back and ask again. He is extending his invitation to the people who ignored him. He wants them to come and be part of the celebration. He tells them about all the great things that are planned for the feast. It's all ready for them; the guests must simply say yes and come. But boy, it doesn't go so well.

The people either ignore the servants or kill them. What? That seems to have escalated quickly! Sometimes in parables, it's easy to judge the people and their terrible decision making. From the outside perspective, we see how silly it looks to act this way. But when I start to think about it-I'm probably more like the people than I'd like to admit.

The Lord is constantly inviting me into relationship with Him, and He has extended His hand to me and has invited me to His feast. How many times have I ignored this invitation? How many times have I just walked away from His call? How many times have I heard His voice and killed that idea in my head? I think, "That isn't what I wanted to do today or with my life." Instead of the glorious banquet the Lord has prepared, I choose to walk away and go about my life. But everything is ready. He is ready. He is inviting. He is doing all these things for me. He is constantly seeking me in my life. I want to be one who leaps up at the invitation and goes all in right away. Help me, Lord, to answer your invitation right away. Help me to choose you and to choose the banquet You have prepared for my life.

Step #3: Oratio / Pray

These questions are to be used to talk to God; have a conversation with the Lord about these questions and what is going on in your heart as you pray today.

How often do you choose your will for your life over God's will for your life? Are you open to going to the banquet even if it wasn't was you planned?

How do you react when God invites you to something new? How are you listening to His invitation to great things to come?

How can you be more open to listening attentively to God and His servants?

Step #4: Contemplatio / Contemplate

In this step, you listen. Stop talking, let God speak to your heart. You may repeat one of these short phrases to focus your mind on the Lord.

"Open my heart, Lord,"

"I want to follow you."

"I love you."

Step #5: Actio / Act

In light of today's reading and your time spent in prayer with the Lord, what concrete action or actions will you take to let this encounter with the Lord bear fruit in you today?

Today, spend some time in prayer surrendering to God's will for your life. Take some time to think about what you have planned for the new school year or years to come and hand over those plans to God. Take time to open your heart to Him, trusting that the invitation to follow Him will bring about great joy in your life.

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The following image is here for you to save and use as a background or lock screen on your smartphone or device to help you carry today's Lectio Divina with you the rest of the day.

Today's Prayer was prepared by Megan Kramer, a parishioner at St. Mary's Parish in Huntley, IL.

If you have anything you'd like our team to pray for, please go to the page of our website called "Prayers" and let us know how we can pray for you today.

CARPE VERBUM