And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a marriage feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast; but they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, Behold, I have made ready my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves are killed, and everything is ready; come to the marriage feast.' But they made light of it and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them.
Matthew 22:1–6 (RSV)
'But they make light of it....' Calendars are crowded with events, hardly time to sit down as a family to eat, work, and investments gnawing away at the hours of the day, something has to give.
God will understand if we can't be in worship again this week. Neglected prayers and acts of charity are suspended until a later day when things aren't so hectic. Days turn to weeks, weeks to months, and God may get a passing thought, but little else. Just too many 'important' things to do.
Still, God is ever-present, inviting us to let go of the excuses, to stop the insane crush of events that steal our minutes and hours. The Father reminds us of our invitation to the Great Feast. His beloved baptized carry His call to come to the Table and rejoice with Him.
But we make light of it; there will be time tomorrow, or next Sunday, certainly Christmas and Easter, then we will give the Father our full attention. The doors to the banquet hall will always be open. We can still arrive just in time.
Or will we?