In the Gospel the “Parable of the Wedding Banquet”, (Matthew 22:1-14)

 Jesus compares the Kingdom of heaven to a king who gave his son a wedding banquet. Great food and drink was provided but all the guests who were invited declined saying they were far to busy.

The king however was so enraged seeking retribution from those who did not attend and then gave invitations to as many people as possible good or bad. Those who weren’t invited did accept and had a wonderful time at the wedding feast.

Have you ever been invited to an event and declined the invitation? What were the reasons, a better offer, didn’t have the time, couldn’t be bothered or were just unaccepting?

Firstly, had a better offer often doesn’t quite achieve the best possible outcome. Our preferred choice is only a perception but really circumstances don’t always occur the way we think they will. I always believe the best surprises are the ones have absolutely no chance of occurring. That is worth waiting for.

Secondly, didn’t have enough time just doesn’t cut it. I always consider that you can make time if you really want to. It is just a matter of managing your time more efficiently or prioritizing what really is important to you. If it is essential there is time.

Thirdly, couldn’t be bothered is it just a case of deferring to ignorance? Not allowing yourself to experience something that is different or can make you feel uncomfortable is not an excuse to reject an invitation but to open yourself up to new situations. Hence being unwilling to take a risk.

Finally, or is the parable all about acceptance of others and ourselves?  Sometimes do I just want everything in my favour and to hang out with the people I like. I believe it is important for me to meet new people otherwise my life would be bland and I would be adverse to change. Therefore remind myself to take the opportunities that are open to me as they I would argue contribute to your quality of life.

So next time remember how you feel when someone rejects an invitation from you for the reasons I have outlined.  Furthermore when you receive an invitation accepting it could be opening yourself to a whole new adventure.

In the parable of the vineyard Matthew 20:1-16 workers grumble about the wages they were paid even though some worked longer hours than others.On the surface that decision looks unfair but if you dig a little deeper I would argue you could see the message Jesus was trying to get across to his followers.

I believe that Jesus is imploring us not to be concerned about what others are doing but to be accountable for own words and actions. Too often we get caught with a desire to blame others for our actions that we know can’t be justified. Hence the onus is on us to act fairly and justly not others.

Furthermore why worry about things we can’t control. Although we may be deeply emotional about situations that have not been favourable we  must abide by the circumstances that have arisen otherwise we will become frustrated and angry and not be able to act appropriately.

Finally they be some very good reasons why these decisions lead to the events that follow.  While we may not understand at the time when the situation occurs again, we may act more responsibly even though we may feel the end result is unfair and unjust.

So don’t get sidetracked remember Jesus’ words “ the last will be first and the first will be last.”

Jesus speaks these words in John 8:32.

I ask myself this question but what do these words actually mean?

I believe this question can be answered in many ways. The most obvious answer is to be honest. Always tell the truth even if it means the outcome might be unfavourable. Sometimes you can be conflicted particularly if you are preventing someone else from harmful conclusion. I believe if your motives are well intentioned then the end result will be positive. However if you are lying to gain advantage or to discredit another more often than not you will be found out and your reputation will be damaged.

Another interpretation of these words is Jesus motivating us all to be seekers of the truth.  The mission being to search for what gives meaning and purpose to our lives centered on living the Gospel.  Hence, values that build relationships, promote charity, demonstrate love and give hope for a positive future.

The final interpretation is to voice the truth. I believe this displays actions of someone who never compromises himself or herself. A person who has strong convictions and will not lower their expectations to achieve their goals. Such a person was Jesus who despite all the obstacles he had to overcome achieved the ultimate triumph, rising from the dead. Furthermore his teachings and his mission left a legacy that millions of Christians proclaim throughout the world today.

Sometimes in life people make bold statements that they just can’t back up. Politicians and sports coaches saying things are going to change and if they don’t we will take steps to ensure they are successful. However, I believe it is always dangerous to predict definitive outcomes.

Jesus said,” truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”  I believe what Jesus was saying was be careful about what how you express your words because it is what people will judge you on. Can you back up your statements or are they just made to justify your position?

Jesus didn’t mince his words he believed everyone has opportunities to be successful it just comes down to whether they are willing to take risks and suffer some pain that determines the outcome. Furthermore Jesus through his death and resurrection demonstrated that we must never lose hope. All we need is to have the faith to believe our words will match our dreams. Until  then keep striving to achieve positive outcomes.

“Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Matt.16: 24)I believe Jesus is exhorting us to have a social conscience. A person demonstrates this when they act for the benefit of others despite the fact that it might be at their own personal cost. However this is what we must be prepared do if we want to be followers of Jesus.

Just imagine if everyone took up that challenge of doing something for someone else even if it meant they were risking pain or suffering for themselves. The world would definitely be a different place if everyone was looking out for each other rather than seeking their own self-aggrandizement. Envisage a world without poverty, hunger, war, or unemployment perhaps then everyone’s life would have meaning and purpose. Hence we all would be valued and respected and thus not seeking power over others.

Consequently what Jesus proclaimed through his words and actions was the message of service not selfishness and this is the challenge if we want to take up the cross and be his disciples.

In Matthew 16:15-17 Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do you say I am?”

Simon Peter replies, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

But how did he arrive at that answer and how do we know who someone really is?

 I believe your opinion of someone is nearly always shaped by their appearance, actions and their communication skills.  Firstly, the way they look can always create a false impression of a person it is certainly not going to give me a true indication of their thoughts and ideas. If I were going to judge someone on his or her appearance it would be both unfair and shallow as a prerequisite for further contact.

 Secondly, how they act is often arbitrated by how I perceive they should behave. Does it concur with my actions or beliefs or are they entirely different to my views? Hence does that preclude them from my approval? I would argue your actions often mirror your opinions but it is always important to compromise to allow you to continue to build relationships.

 Finally, communication skills are defined by how opinions are expressed. Are they done with honesty and sincerity and open to comment or given with force and denying anyone the opportunity for discussion? Hence there is no opportunity for compromise or respect for someone else’s opinion.

 Jesus never worried about what people looked like, how they acted or what they talked about. He just asked people to express compassion and forgiveness for others and on this message he would never be compromised. 

Sometimes our faith is tested due to the circumstances we find ourselves in. Circumstances that we can’t change but we feel conspire against us to make our lives difficult. An example of this is shown in Matthew 15: 23-28 the Canaanite Woman’s faith.

In the Gospel the disciples urged Jesus to send the woman away because she was not a Jew. However Jesus spoke to her and healed her daughter because of her faith in Jesus’s healing power and Jesus as a person.

There are two important things to take from that scripture. Firstly, never give up despite the circumstances and obstacles that we feel are placed in our way.

Secondly when forced into circumstances we have to put our trust in others and in God because we can’t solve every problem or control every situation ourselves.

I believe it is only when you view things differently that change can happen as situations and people are viewed from a whole new perspective.

“I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail” (Luke 22:32)

My interpretation of that scripture is that you must never lose hope no matter what adversity you encounter. I believe that you seize these situations as an opportunity to gain a new perspective on how you approach the challenges you may confront.

So what assists in you in facing these challenges?

I think firstly, you need strong self-belief that from your actions there will be positive consequences achieved compassionately and justly.

Secondly, you need people who can help to support you  achieve these outcomes.

Thirdly, a faith in God is the cornerstone to believing that circumstances change and good things happen if you persist.

However, challenges cannot be overcome if you question your actions, have difficulty with the people whose support you require and lose faith that circumstances will change.

I believe that, should this occur and when you begin to doubt yourself,  it is always important to draw on your previous experiences, people and knowledge that can assist you in turning events around. Along with my faith, that is what gives me hope for the future tests I face.

At times when things go wrong it can become all too easy to blame someone else for the reasons why. Holy Week is a prime example of the blame game being directed towards one individual, Jesus.

In Matthew’s Gospel, the conspiring from the Sadducee’s, Pharisee’s and Scribes begins from the moment of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. From there his teachings and authority are questioned, he is plotted against, betrayed, arrested, denied by his best friend, sentenced to death through an unjust trial, beaten and whipped and then forced to carry the cross to his own crucifixion.

So why do people project their anger and mistrust towards someone else so they will take the fall? Do they perceive them as a threat to their relationships, position amongst their peers or their views are contrary to their own?

 Or do they just not want to take responsibility for their own words and actions in the unrest that arises?

When I think about situations that lead to disagreements in my own life I reflect on how easily they can be avoided. All it would have taken was a word or an action and the frustration and anger that occurred may not have happened. If only I had the benefit of hindsight.

I believe all three considerations brought about Jesus’ death sentence and also define what leads us into conflict with others. Ironically when Jesus was condemned he did not lash out or point the finger of accusation at others but forgave them for their hatred towards him.

I believe by doing that Jesus took the blame for all of our conflicts and demonstrated that the ultimate conclusion is through the seeking forgiveness.

What does being transformed mean? Transformed is defined as changing something dramatically.

 In this weeks Gospel, Matthew 17:1-9, Jesus’ face shines like the sun and clothes turn dazzling white. Shortly after a bright cloud overshadows the disciples and a voice speaks, 

“This is my Son, the Beloved, with Him I am well pleased, listen to him!

Certainly a dramatic turn of events from a simple walk up a mountain to actually seeing Jesus as a shining light and hearing the voice of God.

When I reflect on the story of the Transfiguration I relate strongly to how this scripture passage assists me in my own understanding of the faith journey. Hence, the dazzling light of Jesus provides guidance in my life through his teachings in the Gospel. Furthermore, the teachings always challenge my thinking and actions in every experience I encounter. The most important thing to me is that I learn from my actions and can react to the unexpected in a genuine welcoming friendly way that is positive to all parties concerned.

Ultimately, were my responses those with which God would be well pleased?