Just about everyone likes a good party.  Even the most introverted of us, once we drag our reluctant-self there and find a spot or task to hide behind, can enjoy watching everything unfold.  In fact, simply receiving the invitation, knowing we are included, often ignites our sense of joy.  All three of today’s readings tell us about a very special party—God’s heavenly banquet of Divine food.  The Scripture illuminate the lengths God goes to in preparing this banquet and the gifts offered to those who accept God’s invitation. 
           
We find in the reading from the Book of Proverbs that those who are humble and pure of heart are the preferred guests to a lavishly appointed banquet that promises its partakers they will continue to live and enjoy deeper understanding of God.  St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians instructs those who have come into knowledge of God through Jesus Christ to protect, nurture, and always give thanks for everything they have received.  In today’s Gospel Jesus is explicit about Himself as Divine food.  He tells the Jews that if they accept the invitation to the eternal banquet by eating His flesh and drinking His blood they will live forever with God the Father.
             
Jesus’ invitation is open to all who truly hear, believe, and desire Him.  Taste and see the goodness of the Lord is the response we sang to today’s psalm.  It is our hunger, our faith, our hope.   All bread, every gift, is the bread of heaven.  God wills us to be sustained in this flesh, in this life.  Most graciously and generously in that moment of miraculous union through the Holy Eucharist all our hungers and hopes are satisfied.  Are we ready to accept Jesus’ invitation?
             
To join with and remain in the Lord we cannot be introverted spectators at the party. To participate fully means we do our best to fully trust in God as Jesus did when He, in unconditional love and total freedom, accepted the will of His Father.  What might that look like in your life?  Can you live out of your true self, loving in those moments when someone has disrespected you or bruised your ego?  Can you turn toward the unpopular ones, those who have nothing to add to your reputation?  Can you forgive and embrace someone who has hurt you or someone you love? Jesus went all the way to the cross and death in order to prepare this banquet for us.  When we say Amen to “This is my body,” “This is my blood,” we are saying Amen to surrendering all our joys, all our sorrows, our whole lives in self-giving sacrifice, believing we will share eternal life with Him. Don’t miss the party. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.