READY, BUT NOT WORTHY

 

READY, BUT NOT WORTHY

By any standard, this parable is a sad one. It reminds me of a boy who prevailed upon his mom to put up a birthday spread for him and his classmates. It was meant to be a happy one, replete with the favorite food of digital natives— glorious pizza—and the room was peppered with colorful balloons and happy signs on the walls that said: “Happy birthday!” Even as I write, I feel sad, for the happy day ended in utter sadness.

No one came. No one bothered. Food was ready, but the guests invited were not worthy. The poor kid was not exactly a winner in his school’s popularity department. He was odd. He was different. He did not exactly “belong,” if you know what I mean. Like in the parable, “they were not willing to come.”

You and I know what this means. Rejection hurts big time. I was there. Not once. Not twice. All the time. We prophets are often despised. In this age of social media, we, too, are “bruised, derided, cursed, defiled.”

But let’s be fair and square. I am not talking necessarily of myself. The parable is not just a tale of morality where you need to embed yourself in the story. We’d all rather be in the shoes of the protagonist, the hero, the downtrodden, the persecuted one.

Except that the reverse is also true—most times. We are the invited guests. We are called to party up on the Sky Lounge. The host has assured that everything is ready, and soggy pizza pies are not what we are referring to here, but more like sugar and spice and everything nice. Not just in Sky Lounge, but heaven!

We are all invited. But check out the guest logbook. Everybody who was somebody did not show up. More than that, they planned and plotted against the Son of the host. Only three showed up at the table that was Calvary. The feast was ready, but the guests were not worthy.

Are you? Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

---------- REFLECTION QUESTION ----------

If Jesus were to host a party right now and invite you, are you ready to face Him?

Sorry for the many times I rejected Your invitation to come closer to You, Lord.