A reading from
the Holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 14: 15-24).
One of those
at table with Jesus said to him: ‘Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the
kingdom of God!’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Someone gave a great dinner and
invited many. At the time for the dinner he sent his slave to say to those who
had been invited, “Come; for everything is ready now.” But they all alike began
to make excuses. The first said to him, “I have bought a piece of land, and I
must go out and see it; please accept my apologies.” Another said, “I have
bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please accept my
apologies.” Another said, “I have just been married, and therefore I cannot
come.” So the slave returned and reported this to his master. Then the owner of
the house became angry and said to his slave, “Go out at once into the streets
and lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the
lame.” And the slave said, “Sir, what you ordered has been done, and there is
still room.” Then the master said to the slave, “Go out into the roads and lanes,
and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled. For I tell you,
none of those who were invited will taste my dinner.”’ This is the word of the
Lord.
