Delivered by Samuel Ivan Gunarsa from the Parish of Mary of All the Nations in the Diocese of Bogor, Indonesia. Romans 8: 26-30; Rs psalm 13: 4-5.6; Luke 13: 22-30.

BANQUET IN THEKINGDOM OF GOD

The title for ourmeditation today is: Banquet in the Kingdom of God. Why is the kingdom of Goddescribed in the scriptures as a banquet that God provides? This question wasasked by a teenager to the priest after the celebration of the Eucharist. Someof his friends also came and wanted to hear what the priest wanted to explain.

In the pocket of hiscassock, the priest put a number of chocolates. He took them and, from his handfull with chocolates, distributed to a number of teenagers who were therearound him. The priest left one for himself. They all ate together andexpressed the same impression, that those chocolates were very delicious. Thenthe priest answered that question.

Banquet or meal inheaven clearly shows that in heaven there is life. There are persons alivethere, and not the dead. To signify the eternal life itself, food is aguarantee for the continuity of life. But for God and all the souls there, thefood for the banquet is not physical in nature such as rice, meat, vegetables,fruits and drinks. The food is only spiritual food.

The eternal wordrevealed in loving relationships and in all goodness is the spiritual food inthe kingdom of heaven. All inhabitants of heaven enjoy it in fullness of joyand in eternal communion. All experience how good and beautiful eternal lifeis. The dimension of the unity of all souls and the experience of enjoyment ofthe banquet, are the main characteristics of being in heaven.

In this world, thepicture of the eternal banquet is shown by the celebration of the eucharist andworships that we celebrate together. Through these celebrations, as we aretought and reminded over and over again, we commit to prepare ourselves for theeternal feast in heaven. The Lord Jesus reveals to us how to make thatpreparation through a discipline of renouncement.

In today's Gospelreading, we find the way for our entry that is through a narrow gate. Howdifficult it is for all people from all corners of the earth to have a smoothentry into the kingdom of heaven, and must pass through the narrow gate. Theymust try to go through all forms of self-denial and bear the burden of thecross carried. All believers realize their choice, that they are determined,called, and justified to take part in eternal life.

Let's pray. In the name of the Father... O Lord, thank you for the choice to each one of us and your Holy Spirit whoalways strengthens our fidelity to You. Our Father who art in heaven ... In thename of the Father ...