“Go out into the roads and lanes, and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled” (Lk. 14:23).
Introduction
“Go out into the roads and lanes..” It is a passage from the Parable of the Wedding Banquet (Lk. 14: 15-24, Matt. 22:1-14).
To place this text in its proper context, according to Raymond E. Brown et al (1996), “This is an allegorical parable in which men’s reactions to the invitation to a share in the Messianic and salvific banquet prepared by God are described, and also how God will provide for a share in it even for the outcasts of Israel.”
In this parable, the original guests identified as the Jews to whom the kingdom belonged turned down the invitation before the servants were sent again to the street to call the outcast.
This parable has many characters, but let’s focus on the servants and how they relate to evangelization. It has been established that the servants are Jesus Christ who came to call people to God’s kingdom whose ministry we also share. In a spirit of hope, a renewed effort is called for an approach to primary and secondary evangelization in this third Millennium.
The Church Moves in Hope
The master told the servants to “go out into the street to bring in the poor…” Before this command, the original guests had turned down an invitation to dinner yet the master did not give up and watch his occasion gloomily marred. The servants too were not discouraged.
They readily went to the street and called as many as they saw to fill the banquet hall. Jesus never gets tired of calling us to God’s kingdom. As servants sent to call people to the kingdom, we must not give up despite trials. In his Spes non confundit, Bull of Indiction of the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025, Pope Francis says, “Often we come across people who are discouraged, pessimistic and cynical about the future, as if nothing could possibly bring them happiness.
For all of us, may the Jubilee be an opportunity to be renewed in hope.” We are challenged to spread the good news knowing that at least “we may win some for Christ” (1 Cor. 9:22).
Like the servants, the Church does not remain stationary but moves. She “walks” from house to house, street to street, market to market, hospital to hospital, school to school, nation to nation etc and invites people to the kingdom of God with the gospel message.
The Church covers many miles and as a result, she becomes very healthy and strong. The more missionary “walks” she undertakes, the more fruitful she becomes and the many lives she gains. I have seen many dry rivers and streams. They are no longer in existence because their sources were cut. The Church will dry up in numbers when she refuses to engage in a membership drive.
The servants persuasively convinced the poor and others to honour the invitation. Today, the Church that goes forth in hope must also be earnest to convince the world about the reality of the future life and life in Christ. We can do well with a good moral life.
On the Street Without Fear
We must evangelize without fear of anything or allowing ourselves to be discouraged. To overcome fears, Pope Francis (Evangelii Gaudium, no. 49) urges us, “I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security.”
Fear is not the Christian spirit. Do not be afraid to make mistakes while doing the right thing. There may be criticisms and attacks but don’t throw in the towel. Let us get to the streets, and use social media to evangelize without fear.
Again, the Parish centres must be on the street. In his Evangelii Gaudium no. 28, Pope Francis says “The parish is not an outdated institution; precisely because it possesses great flexibility, it can assume quite different contours depending on the openness and missionary creativity of the pastor and the community.” Like the pastor and his council, like the parish. Let us build a walking parish.
Conclusion
The Church was not borne to sit but to walk in hope despite all trials. This must be seen in the life of every parish. In this Jubilee Year, we are made to understand that “Hope perseveres in the midst of trials: founded on faith and nurtured by charity, it enables us to press forward in life” With faith in God, and in the spirit of charity, go out in hope, sow the seed of the gospel and pray to God to give the growth.
It’s worth reading. Thank you Fr. God bless you