>>A fond memory that I have as a child, is looking forward to that day when I could go to an adult wedding reception. And I remember my parents receiving these invitations to weddings and thinking, “Maybe this is the time I’ll be invited.” And we were never included.

It’s somewhat like that still today, adult wedding receptions are the norm. But when I was in sixth grade and an alter server with my brother, we were asked by an older cousin to be the servers at the wedding. And when the invitation came our names were also on the invitation and I was so excited to be going to my first adult wedding reception.

I don’t remember much about the wedding reception, but I remember this picture -it was me asleep, under the table… So either I had too much fun or it was more boring than I had anticipated for a kid at my age. But that’s what I remembered about that particular invitation and reception- being asleep under the table.

Now, little did I know that eventually in my life weddings and wedding receptions I would go to in abundance. So I couldn’t help but to think of this story as I heard the parable in today’s gospel about the royal wedding feast.

It’s the third of three parables that we’ve heard in the last three weeks. And the parable is clearly addressed to the priest and elders and the time of Jesus.

Keep in mind that the image of the king held power over life and death. And an invitation as we hear in this passage meant expectations needed to be met and there were also consequences to those who were invited. And so, we hear that many are invited but actually few are chosen.

The story reminds us, God’s call to people- to be part of God’s family. God desires us to come to Him. And after those who initially refused, the king sends out the servants with the instruction: invite anyone that you come across, invite anyone that you find. And the point is this, the invitation of God isn’t for a select few, but it’s for all people.

Now we, as those who have accepted the invitation to the banquet are challenged to remember what is our responsibility to saying yes to this invitation. Where are we being called to remember? To be hospitable and gracious as God is to us?

Think about those people who sometimes we are not thoughtful of, or kind towards, or loving towards. Those who sometimes we feel might not fit for this invitation. And remember what the reading tells us, this invitation to the banquet is not reserved for a select few, but it’s for all people.

I ask us to think about today, where we are being called to hospitality and graciousness as God is to us.