COMMENTARY ON THE
GOSPEL ACCORDING TO SAINT THOMAS
Logion 64

64. Jesus said, "A man had received visitors, and when he had prepared the dinner, he sent his servant to bid the guests. He went to the first and said unto him, `My master biddeth thee.' He said, `I have money to collect from some merchants; they come to me this evening. I must give them my orders. I pray thee have me excused from the dinner.' He went to another and said unto him. `My master hath bidden thee.' He said unto him, `I have bought a house and am required for the day. I shall not be available.' He went to another and said unto him, `My master biddeth thee.' He said unto him, `My friend is to be married, and I am to prepare the feast. I shall not be able to come. I pray thee have me excused from the dinner.' He went to another and said to him, `My master biddeth thee.' He said unto him, `I have bought an estate, and I am on the way to collect the rent. I shall not be able to come. I pray thee have me excused.' The servant returned and said unto his master, `Those whom thou bade to the dinner have prayed that they be excused.' The master said unto his servant, `Go outside to the streets and bring back those whom you find, so that they may dine.' Businessmen and merchants will not enter the place of my Father." Lk 14:16-24 (Cf. Mt 22:1-9)
Then said he unto him, "A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: and sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, `Come; for all things are now ready.' And they all with one consent beGan to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things.
Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, `Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the blind. And the servant said, `Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.' And the lord said unto the servant, `Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.' For I say unto you, that none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.