Invited to Taste – Reflection on Luke 14:15-24
We can become so busy that we miss the reality that we are constantly invited to taste the meals Christ prepares. We can be more readily awakened to dine with Christ by an extreme situation such as suffering or a life-changing event. However, the opportunity to taste also happens subtly, such as recognizing divinity. This can be in the beauty of a sunrise, an unexpected thank you, eyes that seem to pierce your soul, a surprise smile, or, without expectation, you help others. The sign that we fully accept God’s ongoing invitation is that we are instilled with thirst, hunger, and desire to be aware of the opportunities to taste more.
The Meal in the House of the Pharisee by James Tissot.
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Luke 14:15-24 – Scripture*
The Parable of the Great Dinner
15 One of the dinner guests, on hearing this, said to him, “Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” 16 Then Jesus said to him, “Someone gave a great dinner and invited many. 17 At the time for the dinner he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come; for everything is ready now.’ 18 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of land, and I must go out and see it; please accept my regrets.’ 19 Another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please accept my regrets.’ 20 Another said, ‘I have just been married, and therefore I cannot come.’ 21 So the slave returned and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his slave, ‘Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ 22 And the slave said, ‘Sir, what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.’ 23 Then the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the roads and lanes, and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled. 24 For I tell you, none of those who were invited will taste my dinner.’”
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Luke 14:15-24 Reflection – Invited to Taste.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities experience your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Luke 14 passage.
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Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: Invited to taste
Page and discussion group on these Lectio Divina daily Gospel Readings.
Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.