Excuses, Excuses!
by Fr. David M. Knight
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Thirtieth-first week of the Year
Phil 2:5-11/Lk 14:15-24 (Lectionary 486)
There are divine mysteries and human mysteries. Luke 14:15-24 confronts us with the human mystery of why anyone would turn down Christ’s invitation to the wedding feast. But if we think in terms of accepting the whole invitation—to enter into the joy, here on this earth as well as in heaven, to live “life to the full,” most people refuse it. Most say, “Heaven can wait,” and settle for partial Christianity and partial joy.
“I have bought some land....”
Some would rather just enjoy their possessions than experience God in them. Or experience the life of God in themselves by the way they use them. They hardly relate to “Hallowed be thy Name!”
“I have bought oxen....”
Others immerse themselves in work. They don’t make time to read Scripture, reflect, pray, get to know God. They find fulfillment in filling a throwaway cup, winning a “perishable crown.” They don’t care to know the joy of being called and sent; the joy of making all they do contribute to the reign of God on earth. When they pray, “Thy Kingdom come!” it is not as participants. They have their own work to do, and its scope is small.
“I am newly married....”
Others are so absorbed in their relationships with others on earth that they don’t even try to develop a deeper relationship with God. They don’t bring him into their conversations and interaction with others. They don’t consciously try to “find Christ” or “form Christ” in those they deal with. When they pray, “Thy will be done” it is not in surrender to letting Christ express himself through them in all their dealings with others.
Why anyone would ignore the offer of “life to the full,” now and forever, is a mystery beyond comprehension.
Initiative: Identify your goals; not by what you say, but by what you do.
Reflections brought to you by the Immersed in Christ Ministry
We read in Philippians 2:5-11:6
Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and, found human in appearance, he humbled himself ,becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him an d bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
But look at the verse that immediately…