Today is a day of Thanksgiving in the U.S.A. Many people are invited to sumptuous feasts with family and friends, and they happily look forward to the Thanksgiving meal. You can imagine the joy of the hosts when their invited guests appear at the door.
God also has prepared a feast today that by comparison makes a Thanksgiving turkey look like a "disgusting bird" (Rv 18:2). In fact, He has also prepared this feast tomorrow, this weekend, and for all eternity. This feast is the ultimate: "the wedding feast of the Lamb" (Rv 19:9). It is celebrated without pause in heaven, and it is celebrated on earth in the Mass.
As with a Thanksgiving meal, it is easy to imagine God eagerly anticipating the arrival of His guests, for "He invited many" (Lk 14:16). Instead of being thrilled at being invited, the guests "began to excuse themselves, one and all" (Lk 14:18). Some simply "ignored the invitation and went their way" (Mt 22:5). Apparently, most of the guests were more bothered than thankful to be invited.
Let's happily and thankfully accept God's invitation and go to Mass today. As we enter the Church for the feast, let us "enter His gates with thanksgiving, His courts with praise" (Ps 100:4). "Happy are those who are called to His supper!"
| PRAYER: | "I will give thanks to You, O Lord, with all of my heart...I will worship at Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name" (Ps 138:1, 2). |
| PROMISE: | "When these things begin to happen, stand erect and hold your heads high, for your deliverance is near at hand." –Lk 21:28 |
| PRAISE: | St. John's parish has a tradition of collecting food for the needy and bringing it to Thanksgiving Mass to present at the offering. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College