LET HIM IN
Today’s
parable is about a man who hosted a banquet and desired to invite many.
To his dismay and embarrassment, all those he invited had their own
excuses not to come: one had just bought a new piece of land which he
had to attend to; another five yoke of oxen that he had to test; the
other is newly married (see vv. 18-20).
This is a symbol of the Messianic banquet prepared by God for everyone.
The invitations have been given out and it is RSVP. Sadly, like in the
parable, many of us don’t even bother to look at the invitation.
This parable harkens to an old painting by William Holman Hunt. It is
his allegorical representation of Revelation 3:20 which says, “Here I
am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens
the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” He
called it “The Light of the World.” It depicts Jesus, holding a lamp,
standing outside and knocking on a door. What is peculiar in this
painting is that the door has no doorknob or any handle of sorts. Hunt
explained that the door in the painting can be opened only from the
inside, representing “the obstinately shut mind” of the
modern man.
But Jesus is the Divine gentleman. He can command to be let in if He
wishes so. He doesn’t really need a door to be able to enter. But there
He is, out in the cold, waiting courteously for those inside to open the
door and invite Him in.
Jesus however still wears the Kingly crown, which indicates that while
rejection is a possibility for Him, in the end He is still regal and
victorious. How will it turn out for us? We hold the key. Fr. Joel Jason
REFLECTION QUESTION: In what doors of your life is Jesus knocking and asking to be let in?
May we hear Your voice, O Lord, and never delay to let You in. Amen.
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