As incredible as it may seem, some people turn down the invitation to the heavenly banquet. This is the case, both in this week’s parable and in our world today. This invitation seems much less interesting than life’s other pursuits. So much time and energy is spent either climbing the economic ladder or just trying to keep our heads above water. Even if we are interested in the banquet, many struggle to find the time and energy it might require. And so we send our regrets. What a shame! We can forget that everything is tending toward the end; all of our plans, interests and distractions will cease. Only the banquet will remain. All God asks of us is that we receive the blessings that have been prepared for us. We need not work for them. In fact, we cannot work for them on our own. All we can do is accept them. God provides whatever we need in whatever circumstances we find ourselves. We needn’t negotiate with God.