253 part i: sunday meditations for the entire year Reflect that this “servant” is God’s inspiration and instigation, which drew us to the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist. Although all citizens of the world are indeed invited guests, the special guests are those whom the Holy Spirit [f.64r] often inspires with a special grace to lead a better life and attracts to the divine love in many different ways, mainly by means of frequent Communion. When they do not show obedience to Him, He abandons them. Then the Lord dispatches the servant, namely a holy incentive, to invite others who are poorer, that is, not so abundantly endowed by Him with grace. Consider your position among the guests invited to the Lord’s banquet. See with what dishes you were nourished and what effects they had on you: did these effects include an improvement of lifestyle, self-contempt, divine love, humility, patience, fortitude and other virtues? And also, finally, be on your guard, lest by your sluggishness you impede or annihilate these effects. 3. “bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame” (Lk 14:21). Ask yourself: who are those poor, maimed, blind, and lame? Undoubtedly, they are the sinners stripped of virtues, wavering in their good resolutions, failing to perceive the path of justice, and not walking rightly before the Lord. Nevertheless, the Divine Goodness orders that such people be invited to the great banquet, to His table. When they begin to repent, He first adorns them there with the garment of innocence, strengthens them for accomplishing good works, illuminates them with the heavenly light and restores to them the ability to walk, so that they would firmly persevere in the way of perfection. He does this by the efficacious, inspiring, helping, and accompanying grace that He gives them at the reception of Holy Communion. Therefore, do not despise sinners, whom God can justify in a moment. Also, do not treat lightly nor sometimes neglect the truly great banquet of the Lord! It is so fruitful that it enriches the poor, strengthens the maimed, enlightens the blind, and makes the lame walk rightly.
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