The Homily of Tuesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time, on the Theme, “Good things: Barriers to Best Option” by Rev. Felix Olatunji Yayi, C.S.Sp. Ref: Romans 12:5-16, Luke 14:15-24:
Invitation for all!
Jesus is kind in all he does, he is interested in us and so he wants us to share in the feast with him. In the gospel today, Jesus demonstrated his desire for everyone to be part of this great banquet. He equally demonstrated the fact that sometimes good things can actually be barriers to the best option for our lives.
Good things: Barriers to Best Option
Coincidentally, I had a football match yesterday evening and something happened that kept me thinking till now. Before the match, the line up was drawn and everyone who was to begin the match knew before time. The match was scheduled for 4:00pm. When it was time to begin the match, about 6 players out of the 11 were no where to be found. The coach was angry because it was already time for kick off and the other team was complete and set for play. The coach then instructed me as the captain, to bring in six people who were seated for the reserve. I did so, and then hurried them to come up to the field because the referee was addressing both teams. Five of the dressed hurriedly and the other just came in without the Jersey for the team, then he was sent back by the referee to be uniform with the others.
After, meditating on this incident, this gospel text came to my mind. The six players who were absent gave series of excuses as to why they could not make it. The gospel of today shows that God is interested in all of us no matter your race, gender, tribe or background. However, this feast, this heavenly banquet needs invitation. God’s invitation may take various forms. This invitation could be through the Sacraments, Scriptures, reflections as this, answered prayers and what not. But the question we need to ask ourselves is, how many times have i ignore this invitation.
Sincerely, these people who were invited and gave different reasons for not making it to the party had genuine reason. But my dear friends, sometimes good things can actually be barriers to the best options of our lives. Our good jobs, our Children, our good business could be barriers to the best options that may have advanced us in life.
Today, this reflection reminds us of the need to put the invitation of God first before every other thing even if they appear good, knowing that good things can be barriers to best options.
May God in his grace help us to always make the right decisions for our lives. Amen.
