Isaiah reminds us that God will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines. Yet how much do we value the feast at the end rather than feasting now? 1 shall live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life. When we respond to God’s call we willingly say, “I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.” Yet how often do we want what we want instead. I know some who would rather live in a shack of dung of their own choosing than to live in a mansion prepared by God for them.
Some people today say if we respond to God then we will be richly rewarded in this life with financial benefits beyond measure. Even Paul recognized that such is fleeting. “I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need.” Responding appropriately to God is more important that all the riches of this world.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus is speaking the parable to those who are “in the know” or should be, the chief priests and elders of the people. Yet he is saying that “Those who were invited were not worthy to come.” How often do pastors hear people say, ”I was too busy to come to church!” One to his farm, another to his business, another to a soccer or football game, or maybe on vacation, or “Sunday is my day to relax and do what I want”.” Jesus reminds us that “
Many are invited, but few are chosen.” Are we invited AND chosen?
Countenance of God 