Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 14, 15-24

One of those at table with Jesus said to him,
“Blessed is the one who will dine in the Kingdom of God.”
He replied to him,
“A man gave a great dinner to which he invited many.
When the time for the dinner came,
he dispatched his servant to say to those invited,
‘Come, everything is now ready.’
But one by one, they all began to excuse themselves.
The first said to him,
‘I have purchased a field and must go to examine it;
I ask you, consider me excused.’
And another said, ‘I have purchased five yoke of oxen
and am on my way to evaluate them;
I ask you, consider me excused.’
And another said, ‘I have just married a woman,
and therefore I cannot come.’
The servant went and reported this to his master.
Then the master of the house in a rage commanded his servant,
‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town
and bring in here the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame.’
The servant reported, ‘Sir, your orders have been carried out
and still there is room.’
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.’”

A great dinner

1) Guests. Marcus Aurelius used to say, “What you beA great dinnerar with patience ceases to be suffering,” because every hardship is a test that helps your soul grow. Think about what you can learn from the difficult situations you’ve faced or are going through now. Instead of asking, “Why me?” focus on the lesson. Don’t look for an easy life—it doesn’t exist. Strive to build a strong mind and soul, forged through every battle you face.

2) On time. Not everyone in your life will celebrate your successes, so be mindful of whom you invite to share in them. Never lose sight of God or the work He wants to do in you. Don’t focus so much on the guests; focus on the reason for the celebration. Life is about what’s happened and what you’ve achieved, not who showed up. Your actions and character speak for you—not the people beside you or gathered around you.

3) Excuses. In The Little Prince, there’s a saying: “We almost never receive what we give, but we always give who we are.” Don’t let life’s failures and heartaches make you lose sight of your purpose, because God will always open doors. Let His hand guide you, and entrust your life to Him each day.

Never forget that something good is on the way! 

God bless you and be with you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.