Unexpectedly yesterday became Grand Final Day Part II for AFL football supporters.

Many other plans had to be changed — even weddings postponed.

For football everything else takes second place, it seems.

What if you believed that every Sunday you can come into the presence of Almighty God?

If you believed that, wouldn’t you cancel everything else, put on your best clothes, and present yourself there on the dot.

The answer of course is, No, you wouldn’t.

Most people know about the Sacraments of the Church by means of which we may share God’s presence, and even in his divine nature.

They know it, but they’ll spend the day playing sport, watching sport, working in the garden etc. regardless.

* * *

Today’s gospel reading in traditional Catholic churches is a sad story that Jesus told:

“The kingdom of heaven is like a king who arranged a marriage for his son. He sent his servants to call those  invited, but they wouldn’t come.

“He then sent other servants, saying: ‘Tell those invited, Look, I have prepared the feast. My calves and fattened cattle have been killed. Everything is ready. Come to the marriage.’ But they ignored the invitation, and went their way, one to his farm, another to his business.

“Then he told his servants: ‘The feast is ready; but those invited have proved unworthy. Go into the highways. Invite anyone you find to the marriage.’ So his servants went and gathered whoever they found, good people and bad, and the wedding-hall was filled.

“The king went in to see the guests. He found there one who was not wearing a wedding-garment. ‘Friend,’ he said, ‘How did you get in here without a wedding garment?’  The man was silent. Then the king said to the waiters: ‘Bind his hands and feet, and throw him into the darkness outside — where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth. For many are invited, but few are chosen.’”

(Saint Matthew’s gospel, chapter 22)

* * *

The point of this story is that God expects us to give him top priority in everything. Even ahead of sport.

He gives us our life. He demands our respect and obedience.

Failing that he will destroy us, which we won’t enjoy.

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