Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop
Luke 14: 15-24
The banquet of the Kingdom

Today’s Gospel reminds us of God’s generous invitation to the banquet of His kingdom. The image of a feast is no accident. For the Jews, the Messianic banquet was a long-awaited hope. Yet, when the feast finally came in Jesus, many who were first invited turned away. Their excuses—land to inspect, oxen to test, family duties—sound very familiar. Even today, how often do we let business, new possessions, or even good things like family life crowd out the place of God in our lives?

The parable also reminds us of the wideness of God’s mercy. Those who were once considered outsiders—sinners, the poor, the broken, even the Gentiles—are invited in. God’s banquet table will not remain empty. His love keeps extending outward, until all are welcomed. That is the power of divine hospitality.

But notice this: the invitation is generous, but it is not to be taken lightly. To accept God’s call and then refuse when the time comes is a grave insult. The kingdom is not something to postpone until we have more time or until life feels easier. God calls us now.

And Jesus describes His kingdom in terms of a feast—full of joy, abundance, and celebration. Christianity is not meant to be gloomy or narrow. To live in Christ is to discover true joy, the kind that no wealth, success, or even human love alone can give.

So, today, let us hear again God’s invitation. Let us lay aside our excuses and take our place at His banquet with gratitude and joy. For in the Eucharist, the feast of the kingdom already begins—here, now, with us.

© Claretian Publications, Hong Kong, China
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2025