Party Planning in Paradise

Start this lesson plan by playing Invitation Relay. This relay not only offers a fun, competitive challenge for the youth but also parallels the essence of the parable. As participants race to accept and act upon various “invitations”, we’re reminded of the continual invitations from God and the importance of our responses to them. Explore the full game details here.

Follow up with a few questions:

• How did you feel when you opened the envelope and saw your task? Did it remind you of any real-life situations where you felt uncertain or unprepared?
• Did you notice any hesitation among team members when picking up or acting on the invitations? Why do you think that is, and how can it relate to hesitations we might have in our spiritual lives?
• How did it feel when your team completed all the tasks? Can this sense of accomplishment be likened to fulfilling God’s call or expectations?

After wrapping up our “Invitation Relay” game, let’s shift gears a bit and consider a more personal scenario. Imagine the excitement and responsibility that comes with planning a major event. The decisions you make, the people you invite, and the atmosphere you create can determine the success of the event. With that in mind, let’s delve into a hypothetical situation that many of you might find intriguing. Your parents are letting you throw a party. You can invite as many friends as you like and your budget is unlimited.

• Where would your party be held?
• Would there be a theme?
• What sort of entertainment or activities would you have?
• What food would you want to have?
• . Will there be a dress code?
• Should guests bring anything?
• Do you want to hint at any special activities or surprises in store?
• Any other plans?

Spend some time brainstorming the party. Let them be over the top extravagant.

With your party details all set, the next step is getting the word out to your friends and loved ones. Crafting the perfect invitation is more than just conveying the time and place; it’s about setting the tone for the event and building anticipation. What would your invitations look like? (If time permits, give them each a notecard and some materials to create an invitation.)

Fast forward two weeks. The invitations have all been sent. Some people have not replied at all or said anything to you about your party. Others have replied that they can’t come and made excuses. So far, you haven’t had one positive response. A couple people who you thought were your friends went so far as to insult you. They said the party didn’t sound like much fun and so there was no way they were coming.

• How do these responses make you feel?
• Would you consider reaching out personally to those who haven’t responded?
• How important is the presence of invitees to the overall success of your party?
• Would you consider postponing or altering the party details based on the responses?
• Do you feel there’s a difference between not receiving a response and receiving a decline? Why or why not?
• What would you do next?

Now read the parable of the wedding feast (Matthew 22:1-14)

Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and elders of the people in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come.

A second time he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast.”’ Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them.

The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.

Then he said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.’ The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests.Matthew 22:1-14 – the Gospel for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

Matthew 22:1-14 reminds us that God has prepared a great feast for us. We get a little taste of the heavenly banquet when we go to Mass. But sometimes we are distracted by other things. What are some things which can keep us from attending Sunday Mass?

Let the youth share examples here. If they are reluctant, give some generic examples of what keep people from coming to Mass.

• Sleeping in
• Sports or other activities
• It isn’t interesting

What are some ways we can help each other attend the Eucharistic feast?

• Go with a friend
• Try a different mass time
• Plan ahead and find a mass that fits into our schedules…

This reading from Matthew 22:1-14 also has a second part. God also wants us to be ready and prepared. The guest who showed up without a wedding garment did not feel that the event was important enough to make the effort to prepare. What are some ways we can prepare for Mass?

• Read the readings ahead of time
• Dress appropriately
• Fast before communion
• Go to confession if it has been a while

Not only will these things show our respect for the Eucharist. They just might also help us be more engaged in the Mass.

When breaking into small groups, remind the youth that this is a safe place to share. Encourage them to listen to one another with respect and kindness. Let them know they don’t have to give long answers, but they should try to be honest. Invite everyone to take part so that no one feels left out. Remind them that what is shared in the group should stay in the group, unless someone shares something that needs adult help or support.

• What part of the parable stood out to you the most, and why?
• Have you ever felt like you were invited to something important but weren’t sure how to respond? How did you handle it?
• What are some modern “excuses” that people give for not making time for God?
• Why do you think Jesus used the image of a feast to explain the kingdom of heaven?
• How can preparing for Mass be like getting ready for a special celebration?
• Have you ever felt more connected to God during Mass? What made that experience meaningful?
• What does it mean to you that everyone is invited to God’s feast?
• How can our group encourage each other to accept God’s invitation more fully?

The notion of Mass as a celebration is rooted in the belief that it’s a joyous gathering where we come together in communion with God and each other. The Mass is not just a routine or obligation; it’s a festive union of souls rejoicing in God’s love. It’s a time to commemorate the blessings we’ve received, the challenges we’ve overcome, and the hope that lies ahead.

This week, do something extra to prepare for Mass. Go with some friends. Organize a breakfast or brunch afterward, turning it into a full-fledged celebration. Sharing reflections or discussing the sermon can be a meaningful way to bond.

Remember that this party isn’t an ordinary one. It’s a party planned by God Himself. He eagerly waits for each one of us, hoping we join in the celebration. By embracing this mindset and taking a few extra steps, you can transform your Mass experience into a celebration of faith, love, and community.

Let’s take a moment to quiet ourselves and place our hearts in God’s presence.

Loving Father, we thank You for always inviting us to be close to You. We know that sometimes we get distracted or make excuses, but You never stop calling us. Help us to see Your invitations in our daily lives and to answer with joy.

Jesus, You showed us that the kingdom of heaven is like a great feast. Help us to come to Mass ready to celebrate with You. Give us open hearts so we can receive Your love and share it with others.

Holy Spirit, guide us this week. Remind us that we are welcome at God’s table and that we have an important place there. Give us courage to say yes when God calls.

We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Themes

• God’s Open Invitation: God invites everyone to share in His kingdom. No one is left out, no matter their background. This shows His love and mercy for all people.
• Saying Yes to God: Our response matters when God calls. We can choose to accept or reject His invitation. The parable shows that our choices have real meaning.
• Value of Preparation: The guest without a wedding garment reminds us to be ready. Preparation shows respect for what God offers us. It helps us fully enter into the celebration.
• Mass as a Celebration: The banquet points to the Eucharist. Mass is not only a duty but a joyful gathering. We join together with God and each other in love.
• Danger of Distractions: Some people in the story ignored the king’s call. Daily life can also keep us from God. We must be careful not to let lesser things take His place.
• Call to Conversion: Some who first refused were replaced by others who said yes. This shows that anyone can turn to God at any time. Conversion is always possible when we open our hearts.
• Respect for the Eucharist: The wedding garment teaches us to come prepared. This connects to how we should approach Mass. Reverence and readiness help us encounter Christ.
• God’s Justice and Mercy: Those who rejected the king faced judgment. But others, both good and bad, were welcomed in. God is merciful, but He also calls us to take His invitation seriously.
• Community of Believers: The banquet hall filled with many people shows the Church. We are gathered together by God’s call. We support one another in faith.
• Joy of God’s Kingdom: A wedding feast is full of joy. Heaven is pictured as a great celebration. This reminds us that God’s plan for us is life and happiness with Him.
• Responsibility to Respond: The story shows that invitations can be refused. We must decide how we will answer God’s call. Our response shapes our relationship with Him.

Background Material

The Parable of the Wedding Feast, found in Matthew 22:1-14, speaks about the kingdom of heaven as a great banquet prepared by a king for his son. This image of a feast is one that appears often in Scripture. In the Old Testament, Isaiah 25:6 describes a heavenly banquet where the Lord “will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines.” The picture of a meal shared in joy and abundance helps us understand God’s desire to welcome us into communion with Him.

Jesus uses the parable to show how God invites His people to share in His kingdom. The first group of invited guests rejects the call. Some ignore it, while others respond with violence. In the story, the king then sends out invitations to anyone who will come. This shows that God’s invitation is for everyone. No one is left out of His plan of salvation. The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us, “The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life” (CCC 1324). The banquet in the parable points us to the Eucharist, where we experience a foretaste of the heavenly feast.

This parable also teaches the importance of our response. God’s call requires more than hearing the message. It requires action. Just as the guests had to leave their work behind to attend, we are asked to put aside distractions and make space for God. The guest without the wedding garment shows that our response also requires preparation. Attending the banquet is not enough; we must come with respect and readiness. In Catholic teaching, this connects to how we approach Mass. We prepare by fasting before Communion, by going to confession when needed, and by bringing a prayerful spirit. These acts help us honor the gift we are receiving.

Another message in this passage is about God’s mercy and justice. God invites freely, but the parable shows that ignoring His call has consequences. Those who mistreated the servants faced judgment. This reminds us that faith is not something we can take lightly. At the same time, the king’s decision to welcome everyone he found on the streets shows God’s mercy. He calls the poor, the broken, and the sinner. This is reflected in the life of Jesus, who ate with tax collectors and sinners and welcomed those who were cast aside by others.

For young people today, this parable offers both encouragement and challenge. It shows that God personally invites each of them to His feast. It also shows that their response matters. Choosing to prepare for Mass, to live faithfully, and to keep God at the center of their lives is a way of accepting the invitation. The parable makes clear that the kingdom of God is not a distant idea, but a present reality they are called to enter. God offers joy and life, but He also asks us to be ready and to respond with open hearts.

Music Suggestions

• Remembrance
• Empty and Beautiful
• How Great Is Your Love
• All Who Hunger
• Let Us Go to the Altar
• What a Beautiful Name
• Worthy Is the Lamb
• Behold the Lamb