Never Forget Conversion For Any Person Is Possible

Rom. 11:12, 11-12, 25-29 & Lk. 14:1, 7-11

Can you imagine a time when the Jewish people will be converted to Christianity, accepting Jesus as the Messiah? It might be hard to believe but this is what Saint Paul is telling us in today's first reading.

God chose the Jews as the race from whom His Son would be born. He prepared the people for the coming of Jesus as their Saviour, and throughout Jewish history there were prophets who foretold that event. Having made such a promise, how could God fail to keep it?

Sadly, as Paul says, one section of Israel refused to accept Jesus as the Messiah. The Jewish people were given every chance to know their Saviour through His teaching and miracles, and even after His death and resurrection, but it appeared many of them still were not convinced. So now it was time for the Gospel to be preached to other nations.

God compares His kingdom to a wedding feast to which He invites everyone, without exception. No-one can say that they deserve the most important place and it is for Him to tell us where we may sit.

It is wonderful to think that before the end of the world the Jews will be converted. This thought should encourage us to keep hoping and praying for the conversion of even the hardest sinner. There may be someone in our family who we feel may never turn to God, but we should never give up. However unlikely it may seem at this moment, a conversion can occur through God's grace and our prayers. So keep praying for your family, for people you know and for our country. Never give up hope that they will be converted!

At a meal to which Jesus had been invited, in today's Gospel, He noticed the jostling that went on among the guests for the places of honour. He gave this good advice, “Take the lowest place at a wedding party for all who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” He was not telling us to do something He never did. Jesus humbled Himself taking the form of a servant and His Father exalted Him giving Him the most exalted place in Heaven to sit at His right hand and gave Him the name which is above all names. (Phil 2:9-11).

Pride about who we are and what we have prevents us from entering into a deeper union with Jesus. God has made us free so that we can choose to love Him better than ourselves. When we admit our need for God, His work of lifting us up can begin.

There is so much pride in our nature that prevents us from acknowledging our true condition. Without even noticing it, we count ourselves great in the kingdom of God. Recognising these attitudes can be a doorway to deeper union with Christ as we seek to follow Him.

Lord Jesus, You became a servant for our sakes to set us free from the tyranny of sin, selfishness, and conceit. Help us to be humble as You are humble, and to love freely and graciously all whom You call us to serve.