IS 58:9B-14
PS 86:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
LK 5:27-32
We love to be invited places. Whether it was
to a birthday party as a child, a wedding of a friend or family member, or
simply to grab lunch, invitations make us feel valued and loved. Sometimes a
simple invitation can lead to something much greater, even life changing. For
me, an invitation to sit at a friend’s lunch table the first week of high
school led to finding a group of friends I can’t imagine my life without.
Simply being invited to hang out in the dorm room of a new college acquaintance
led to one of the strongest friendships I have today. However, the reason these
invitations all had such incredible outcomes was due to one reason -- I said
yes.
In the Gospel today, Jesus invites Levi, a
tax collector, to follow him. This invitation leads to a “great banquet” with
others celebrating in community with one another. This undoubtedly joyful
celebration only came about because of Levi’s “yes” to Jesus. Whether we
realize it or not, we are given the same invitation by Jesus every single day.
Accepting this invitation to actually live, with Jesus by our side, is
life-changing. Yes, there will be hardships, we will be challenged, and we may
question our faith from time to time, but there will also be more joy than we
have ever dreamed of. Accepting the invitation to live a life with Christ leads
to a “great banquet”. This banquet exists both here on earth with the people we
encounter and ultimately in heaven with Love itself. Jesus invites each of us
specifically, waiting desperately for our “yes” to the Greatest Invitation. Our
yes allows us to experience the “great banquet” life with God truly is -- a
life full of selflessness, peace, and overflowing joy.
One last thing about this invitation -- it
has no limits. Levi was a tax collector, and tax collectors were stereotyped as
thieves and traitors, marking them as unworthy of Jesus’ attention by His
dedicated followers. However, Jesus chooses Levi, an “unworthy” tax collector,
to come follow and dine with Him. With this action, Jesus is saying, “It
doesn’t matter who you are, what you’ve done, or how you decide to live your
life -- my invitation is still there.” His love has no boundaries, no
requirements, no attachments. It just is, given without hesitation to each one
of us. There is no such thing as unworthiness.
This Lenten season, let us be more aware of
the daily invitations we are sent to engage in our communities, in our
relationships, and in our conversations, and let our “yeses” be shown through
the love we share between one another.
Madelyn Ennis is studying Occupational Therapy.
Madelyn Ennis is studying Occupational Therapy.
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