I believe I got married to the church last year after a 9-year engagement. I would understand why a couple sometimes breaks up during their preparation for the wedding because the chaotic details for the onetime celebration in your lifetime overwhelms you. I felt the same when I thought about invitations, guests from all over the country and even from South Korea, the reception, and the first mass even not thinking about the ordination itself! Thankfully, I didn’t have a fiancé who might argue with me in details because my spouse Jesus was quiet most of the time. Fortunately, I with my classmates had one day of recollection before the ceremony at Jesuit Retreat House in Parma. But that was not enough. On the wedding day, I woke up at the dawn, prayed and wrote a journal. It goes like this.
“I have a dear friend. It has been almost twenty years to encounter, to know, to learn, to trust and to walk with him. The desire toward him has been growing in prayer and learning, so I have become not to think of anything else but him after tasting such sweetness. But the truth is that he befriended me first. It was he who extended his hand to me who was no fun, had no attraction, and no capability. It was I who was surprised, excited more and felt good. And he waited for me for such a long time, treating me as a best friend, teaching to let me grow…
He is the one who smiles and calls for sheep, saying to me, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am meek and humble of heart.” With him, if he wants, I will go. I will walk the way because of his love. My friend, Jesus Christ! My friend, Jesus Christ! My friend, Jesus Christ!”
When I entered the wedding feast in the morning, my heart was filled with humility, trust and gratefulness. I knew it was the right thing to do. My heart was ready.
The good news for all of us is that all are invited, good and bad alike. And the wedding garment is ready for you by the host if you are willing to walk into the feast and to celebrate your life with the Lord. This is an invitation to you today from the King of kings. Are you ready?
Come to the feast! “All you who are thirsty, come to the water! You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat; Come, without paying and without cost, drink wine and milk! Why spend your money for what is not bread; your wages for what fails to satisfy? Heed me, and you shall eat well, you shall delight in rich fare. Come to me heedfully, listen, that you may have life” (Is 55:1-3). This is the celebration of life that includes all our celebrations and the prototype of celebrations. For this celebration, I hope you dance, not sitting down; I hope you dance because it is the kingdom of God that we all long for.