Today Church Homily, Election Day and the Reflection on the Banquet of Life

In today’s Gospel at Church, the homily was on the parable of a man who prepares a great feast and invites many guests. Yet, when the time for the banquet arrives, those invited begin making excuses. One says he has bought a field and must go see it, another that he has just bought oxen and needs to try them out, and a third that he just got married and therefore cannot come. Jesus concludes by saying that the master, angered by these excuses, tells his servant to go out and invite “the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.” The ones who accepted this invitation became the true guests of the banquet (Luke 14:15-24).

This passage strikes a deep chord in my heart. It’s all too easy to imagine myself among the guests who find reasons to say, “not now.” I can think of so many times in my own life when I’ve let excuses get in the way of responding to God’s invitation to His banquet. Maybe it’s been because of comfort, inconvenience, or busyness. “It’s too cold out. It’s raining. I have a date. There’s a football game on” the list is endless and recognize myself in some of these excuses, in my desire to hold onto my plans and my comfort, even when God is inviting me to something better, something more fulfilling.

The banquet in this parable isn’t just a feast in heaven, but an invitation to experience God’s presence, His goodness, and love here and now. Every day, God offers us the “banquet of life”, a chance to grow closer to Him, to live out our faith, to serve others. And like the invited guests, we too can turn away, wrapped up in the distractions of this world. Yet Jesus’ words serve as a reminder that these excuses, which seem so urgent and necessary at the moment, pale in comparison to the beauty of truly accepting God’s invitation.

This Gospel comes at a fitting time as we approach Election Day today. The homily also serves as a reminder to us all: “No excuses, let's go out and vote. Our faith promotes life. Go out and vote and do so for life.” This invitation calls us not only to participate in the banquet of God’s love but also to take action in ways that uphold and respect life in all its forms, which is central to our faith. In voting, we have an opportunity to influence our world according to our values and God’s teaching. And it’s a powerful reminder that faith isn’t just about our inner life, it calls us to engage with the world, to make choices that reflect love and justice.

So, today, I pray for the strength to let go of excuses and distractions. I ask God’s forgiveness for the times I’ve turned away from His invitation, and I ask for the grace to embrace it fully. Whether it’s in small daily sacrifices, acts of service, or in the way I cast my vote, may I choose to participate wholeheartedly in the banquet of life that God has prepared for me and you.

I remain your Pal, 

Ronnie Law