At Supper Time

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Keraza Magazine issue 7-8 February 26, 2016

The Lord Christ mentioned in the parable of the great supper, that the master sent his servants at supper time to invite his guests saying, "Come, for all things are now ready" (Luke 14:17). It is customary for a person inviting friends or acquaintances to a wedding or party, to send out the invitation a sufficient time beforehand for them to make arrangements to be able to attend, otherwise the invitation is seen as mere formality and unfeasibility if it is sent only a few days ahead. As for the custom of the kingdom, the invitation to the feast of the Lamb comes "at super time" (Luke 14:17), but not as a formality or unfeasible. This means that the invitation carries within itself its power and effectiveness. Once one accepts the invitation, one is instantly transferred to the table of the King enjoying His great supper.

"At super time" is a double-sided phrase: on the first side it bears a very reach divine promise of immediate satiety at the same moment of accepting the invitation, and on the other side a fearful warning to all who excuse themselves. Anyone who misses that hour and neglects so great a salvation will never taste the feast of the Lamb forever.

"At super time" means we do not need to await the coming of the kingdom in the coming age to enjoy it, as the kingdom of God is within us, in our inner man always, and supper time is present now at this very moment of time awaiting whoever answers the call. Whoever reacts to the call of the Holy Spirit to prayer, meditating on the Holy Bible, and asceticism will experience how He transforms these practices into enhancers of the soul's energy and into light for the spirit that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.

"At super time" means that once we hear the invitation, we must answer. God in His Omniscience knows at that very hour about the purchased field and the five yoke of oxen, and of the marriage to a wife. Yet, He fully intended to invite at the very hour, not out of disabling, but because the mysteries of the kingdom are not entrusted to one who does not know how to forsake. Either we forsake and gain everything, or we do not forsake and we gain nothing. Here only does the law of all or none apply. At the very hour of purchase, the divine invitation to the supper comes, to place us at the division of soul and spirit where the will is tested.

"At super time" needs a sensitive spiritual ear to the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit, continual watchfulness, and readiness to obey till death by a quick light movement of the will, because no one knows when his own supper time will come. Elisha's supper time was the moment he saw Elijah rising to heaven; if he had glanced away for one moment, he would have lost forever the credit stored up for him, a double portion of his spirit.

And now, at His supper time, "See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven" (Hebrews 12:25).

Bishop Youssef
Bishop, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States