LUKE 14:15–24, THE PARABLE OF THE GREAT FEAST
THE KINGDOM OFFERED, REJECTED, AND WIDELY OPENED
Introduction
This parable flows naturally from Jesus’ teaching on humility and selfless charity at the Pharisee’s banquet. A fellow guest voices a pious hope about dining in the Kingdom of God. Jesus responds by revealing a painful truth: many who speak religiously and appear close to God may ultimately exclude themselves from His Kingdom. Through the image of a great feast, Jesus exposes the tragedy of refusal, the danger of misplaced priorities, and the astonishing generosity of God who opens His table to those once considered unworthy.
Bible Passage (Luke 14:15–24)
One of his fellow guests on hearing this said to him, “Blessed is the one who will dine in the kingdom of God.”
He replied, “A man gave a great dinner to which he invited many.
When the time for the dinner came, he dispatched his servant to say to those invited, ‘Come, everything is now ready.’
But one by one, they all began to excuse themselves. The first said to him, ‘I have purchased a field and must go to examine it; I ask you, consider me excused.’
And another said, ‘I have purchased five yoke of oxen and am on my way to evaluate them; I ask you, consider me excused.’
And another said, ‘I have just married a woman, and therefore I cannot come.’
The servant went and reported this to his master. Then the master of the house in a rage commanded his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in here the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame.’
The servant reported, ‘Sir, your orders have been carried out and still there is room.’
The master then ordered the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedgerows and make people come in that my home may be filled.
For, I tell you, none of those men who were invited will taste my dinner.’”
Background
This parable is part of the banquet discourse in the Gospel of Luke, where meals become windows into the Kingdom of God. In Jewish thought, the messianic age was often imagined as a great banquet with the patriarchs and the righteous. Jesus takes this familiar hope and radically redefines who enters—not those who presume their place, but those who respond with humility and urgency.
Opening Life Connection
People often accept invitations in principle but decline in practice. Work, possessions, relationships, and comfort frequently take priority over deeper commitments. Spiritually, many desire heaven but postpone conversion. This parable confronts the gap between intention and response.
Verse-by-Verse / Phrase-by-Phrase Reflection
The statement “blessed is the one who will dine in the kingdom of God” sounds devout, yet it assumes distance—blessing belongs to someone else. Jesus turns this abstract hope into a personal challenge.
The image “a man gave a great dinner” reveals God’s generosity. Salvation is not a reward for effort alone but a joyful invitation prepared in advance.
The command “come, everything is now ready” shows urgency. God’s Kingdom is not hypothetical; it is present and accessible in Jesus.
The phrase “they all began to excuse themselves” exposes indifference. Rejection is polite, reasonable, and tragic.
Each excuse—“a field,” “five yoke of oxen,” “I have just married”—represents legitimate goods that become idols when they replace God. None are sinful, but all become barriers.
The master’s reaction “in a rage” expresses wounded love rather than cruelty. God’s anger reveals the seriousness of rejecting grace.
The command to invite “the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame” fulfills Jesus’ earlier teaching to the host. Those excluded by society are welcomed by God.
The phrase “still there is room” reveals abundance. God’s mercy is not limited by rejection.
The final outreach “to the highways and hedgerows” points to the Gentiles and all outsiders. God desires a full house, not an elite gathering.
The closing warning “none of those men who were invited will taste my dinner” underscores the cost of refusal. Invitation ignored becomes exclusion.
Jewish Historical and Religious Context
Banquets symbolized covenant blessing and divine favor. Those initially invited represent Israel’s religious leadership, confident in their place. The poor and outsiders symbolize those considered unclean or unworthy. Jesus reverses expectations, showing that response—not status—determines participation in God’s Kingdom.
Catholic Tradition and Teaching
The Church teaches that salvation is freely offered but must be freely accepted. God calls all, yet respects human freedom. Persistent refusal hardens the heart. The Church’s mission mirrors the servant’s task: to invite all, especially the marginalized, into communion with God.
Historical or Saintly Illustration
Saint Vincent de Paul saw the poor as the “lords and masters” of the Church. By welcoming those ignored by society, he filled God’s house with those eager to receive grace, embodying the spirit of this parable.
Application to Christian Life Today
This Gospel challenges believers to examine excuses that delay commitment. Possessions, work, and relationships must not displace God. It also calls the Church to active outreach, ensuring that no one feels uninvited to God’s mercy.
Eucharistic Connection
The Eucharist is the foretaste of the great feast of the Kingdom. Each Mass is an invitation already sent. Participation demands readiness of heart and freedom from attachments that hinder response.
Messages / Call to Conversion
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Take God’s invitation seriously and respond without delay.
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Repent of allowing good things to replace the greatest good.
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Examine excuses that keep you from full discipleship.
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Welcome the poor and excluded as honored guests of God.
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Commit to filling God’s house through witness and service.
Outline for Preachers
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Banquet setting and pious remark
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Meaning of the great feast
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Excuses and misplaced priorities
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God’s wounded love and decisive action
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Invitation to the marginalized
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Outreach beyond boundaries
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Jewish messianic banquet imagery
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Saintly witness of welcoming the poor
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Eucharist as foretaste of the feast
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Urgent call to accept God’s invitation
