The Gospel reading for this, the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost – the Sunday proper, not the Feast of Corpus Christi – is the “Highways and Hedges” Gospel. This is yet another example of God Almighty telling us that the Church Militant is going to be a mixed-bag at best, and implied trainwreck until the very, very end.
In the Lucan version of the “Highways and Hedges” Gospel, I note the rare instance wherein Our Lord warns of placing EVEN ONE’S SPOUSE above Him- He Who Is Truth Itself. In the “Non veni pacem” discourse, he mentions all family connections except marriage, but here He makes it perfectly clear that putting one’s spouse above Him is idolatrous and damnable, even with the privileged status of the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.
I cannot help but think of how many millions of men have had themselves injected with poison, and have been injured, killed, and will yet die for unnatural reasons because of their harping, money-grubbing, materialist, pagan wives. Being a cuckold to satan… sow the wind, reap the whirlwind of fire.
Christ Almighty will do the final sorting and sifting, NOT US. So…
Luke 14:16-24.
At that time, Jesus spoke to the Pharisees this parable: A certain man gave a great supper, and he invited many. And he sent his servant at supper time to tell those invited to come, for everything is now ready. And they all with one accord began to excuse themselves. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a farm, and I must go out and see it; I pray you hold me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am on my way to try them; I pray you hold me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ And the servant returned, and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house was angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor, and the crippled, and the blind, and the lame.’ And the servant said, ‘Sir, your order has been carried out, and still there is room.’ Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and make them come in, so that my house may be filled. For I tell you that none of those who were invited shall taste of my supper.’
Let’s go OLD-school downhome, as the Carter Sisters sing “In the Highways” In ARSH 1939. I actually had the pleasure of seeing the Peasall Sisters perform this in the “O Brother, Where Art Thou” soundtrack tour back in the aughts in Denver. Second row center. And yes, I absolutely rocked out to Dan Tyminski singing “Man of Constant Sorrow.” It was even better than the album version. Probably the best live music show I’ve ever seen. Or perhaps tied with the Everly Brothers.
Anyway… in the Highways and Hedges.
In the highways in the hedges
I’ll be somewhere a workin for my Lord
If He calls me I will answer
I’ll be somewhere a workin for my Lord
Truly, words to live by. You ARE called. Make sure that by your freely chosen life and decisions that you are… CHOSEN. It’s entirely up to you. If you are outside The One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, get in. If you’re in, get in the State of Grace, and make it your top priority to stay there. Move heaven and earth. Your eternal soul utterly depends on it.