Be prepared for Jesus!

Matthew 22:1-14

Jesus told this story. “God’s kingdom,” he said, “is like a king who threw a wedding banquet for his son. He sent out servants to call in all the invited guests. And they wouldn’t come! He sent out another round of servants, instructing them to tell the guests, ‘Look, everything is on the table, the prime rib is ready for carving. Come to the feast!’ They only shrugged their shoulders and went off, one to weed his garden, another to work in his shop. The rest, with nothing better to do, beat up on the messengers and then killed them. The king was outraged and sent his soldiers to destroy those thugs and level their city. Then he told his servants, ‘We have a wedding banquet all prepared but no guests. The ones I invited weren’t up to it. Go out into the busiest intersections in town and invite anyone you find to the banquet.’ The servants went out on the streets and rounded up everyone they laid eyes on, good and bad, regardless. And so the banquet was on—every place filled. When the king entered and looked over the scene, he spotted a man who wasn’t properly dressed. He said to him, ‘Friend, how dare you come in here looking like that!’ The man was speechless. Then the king told his servants, ‘Get him out of here—fast. Tie him up and ship him to hell. And make sure he doesn’t get back in. That’s what I mean when I say, ‘Many get invited; only a few make it."

Food for thought!

In order to grasp the meaning of this parable, we must remember some details about Jewish customs. When the invitations to a great feast, like a wedding feast, were sent out, the time was never stated; and when everything was ready the servants would be sent out with a final summons to tell the guests to come. Jesus is using this to tell us that the same happens or will happen with us when he comes (and you know that this coming means our death). 

Everything is rdy. Jesus has done all there is  to do about our salvation. He has won for us life after death: "we have now been justified by his blood" (Rom. 5:9). For that reason, Paul urges us: "You know as well as I that the day of the Master’s coming can’t be posted on our calendars. He won’t call ahead and make an appointment any more than a burglar would. About the time everybody’s walking around complacently, congratulating each other—“We’ve sure got it made! Now we can take it easy!”—suddenly everything will fall apart. It’s going to come as suddenly and inescapably as birth pangs to a pregnant woman. But friends, you’re not in the dark, so how could you be taken off guard by any of this? You’re sons of Light, daughters of Day. We live under wide open skies and know where we stand. So let’s not sleepwalk through life like those others. Let’s keep our eyes open and be smart. People sleep at night and get drunk at night. But not us! Since we’re creatures of Day, let’s act like it. Walk out into the daylight sober, dressed up in faith, love, and the hope of salvation." (1 Thessalonians 5:1-8)

It means, don't take salvation for granted. Don't act like the man who wasn’t properly dressed in the banquet hall. Dress yourselves accordingly; be ever ready and prepared for Jesus. Don't let your business life distract you. As you know, "Preparedness is a step to success" —John M. Templeton

Far too often many people do not prepare themselves for success. While they wish success would favor them, they may put just enough effort into life to get by, thinking that if by chance something big comes along, they’ll grab it. But if you’re not prepared for success, you may find it difficult to hold on to the opportunities that come your way.

In today's second reading, Paul shows us what it means to be prepared: (Philippians 4:12-14) "I know how to be poor and I know how to be rich too. I have been through my initiation and now I am ready / prepared for anything anywhere: full stomach or empty stomach, poverty or plenty. There is nothing I cannot master with the help of the One who gives me strength." Jesus helped Paul to get prepared; Jesus is doing the same to us; he is showing us how strong spiritual values can help us as we search for financial success, personal success, and a happy and fulfilled life. If our basic values are rooted in Jesus' spiritual principles, or laws of life, success is sure to follow. By incorporating these laws of life into our code of behavior, we are on our way to becoming fulfilled people.

Why was the man of the gospel thrown out of the party? It was because he was not prepared for the banquet. This parable has nothing to do with the clothes in which we go to church; it has everything to do with the spirit in which we go to God's house. It is profoundly true that church-going must never be a fashion parade.

But there are garments of the mind and of the heart and of the soul--the garment of expectation, the garment of humble penitence, the garment of faith, the garment of reverence--and these are the garments without which we ought not to approach God. Too often we go to God's house or to prayer with no preparation at all; if every man and woman in our churches came to church prepared to worship, after a little prayer, a little thought, and a little self-examination, then worship would be worship indeed; when the Lord comes, he would find us ready. 

Continue to read, to learn, and experience new feelings and ideas. Observe others. Listen carefully to others. Use whatever degree of intelligence you possess to the fullest. Remember that to help yourself is to help others. Ask yourself if you are using your talents and abilities in the most wise way. Do you live consciously the virtues of honesty, bravery, humility, gentleness, loyalty, and hope? Learn more about the virtues of life and what they mean in yourlife. Look for the positive in what may seem to be a negative situation. Learn how to live in harmony with others in ways that may lead to productive change. These things are a part of “being prepared” and often lead to success. 

 That’s what it means to say, ‘Many get invited; only a few make it."