The tragedy of Missing the Opportunity

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Thirty First Week : Tuesday*

*Gospel : Lk 14:12-14*

*First Reading : Phil 2:5-11*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps 22:26b-27, 28-30ab, 30e, 31-32*

*The tragedy of Missing the  Opportunity*

*1) ‘Come, everything is now ready.’*

In today's Gospel we see the event of a great dinner 

To this dinner many guests were invited by the one who had organized the dinner 

He prepared everything and sent a grand invitation to the guests with the information *‘Come, everything is now ready.’*

It was an golden opportunity for the invited guests to participate in the dinner 

*2) The response of the guests*

Among the invited guests many started to give different reasons and consider them as excused 

The first one was busy with property

The second one was busy with business or things 

Third one was busy with marriage

So all of them gave diffent excuses 

*3) The possibility of the postponement*

The dinner is ready and time is also fixed 

The dinner can't be postponed, because such a a large amount of food can't be preserved for next day. It has to be eaten at that moment 

The other things, for example, examining the field, evaluating the oxen and spending time with the spouse can be done some other time as well 

There was a possibility of postponing these things, but not the celebration and the dinner 

*4) Missed Opportunity*

All those invited guests missed the Golden opportunity of participating in the dinner organized by the owner 

Ultimately the guests lost the opportunity. But the owner didn't lose anything, since there was an alternative arrangements by the owner 

These servants who missed the dinner have lost forever the opportunity. 

*5) The loss of all opportunity*

The blunder which these invited guests, will costs them very much 

Hence forth they will lose all the opportunities. They will not be called for any celebrations or events 

One decision will cost them very much. With their rejection of the invitation they have lost everything  

*6) Life has only one opportunity*

We have only one life. If the opportunity in life to do good is lost, then it is lost for ever 

There are things in life, which we can't get it back once they are lost 

We have to use the opportunity when life gives it. Once it is lost, we can't get it back 

*7) To the Life Situation : ‘Come, everything is now ready.’*

This particular aspect can be applied very well to our own life 

When we take birth God says *Come, everything is now ready.’*

When we are Children once again God says *Come, everything is now ready.’*

When we are young people we can here these words in a more powerful way *Come, everything is now ready.’*

When we are leaders of the community God says *‘Come, everything is now ready.’*

When we are elderly we here once again *‘Come, everything is now ready*

When we are about to die, we will here  *‘Come, everything is now ready.’*

In other words every day in our life there is a great invitation from the Lord with these words *‘Come, everything is now ready.’* to build the kingdom of God 

Our days are numbered. A day lost, lost for ever 

A opportunity missed, missed for ever

A good and moral life missed, is missed for ever 

There are certain things when they are lost, they are lost for ever

How about opportunity in my life to build the Kingdom of God?

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*