I worked with Bill at my first job after college. We also attended the same parish. One day at work, Bill told me that he was going to quit going to church for awhile. I didn't know what he meant for sure, but I never saw him again in church. The most important thing Bill taught me was, "don't stop going to church, no matter what the circumstances."

God the Father has called all of us to abundant life in his kingdom. His invitation requires an RSVP from us. Like the two sons in the gospel reading a couple weeks ago, we can say either "yes" or "no" to God's gracious invitation. If we say, "yes," then we must follow up our response with action. If we say "no," our ever-loving God will continue to call us, waiting for our positive response. I haven't seen Bill for 30 years, but I hope he has again said "yes" to God's never-ending invitation.

God the Father never gives up on his people. He entered into a covenant with the people of the Old Testament, but not all responded. Next he sent his invitation via the prophets, but some people "mistreated them, and killed them." Since the leaders of Israel did not accept his invitation to the banquet, he sent his servants out into the main roads to invite anyone they found. These were Matthew's own community composed of Jews and Gentiles.

Jesus planned that these people he left behind would keep extending the Father's invitation. The Catholic Church does the same thing today. All of us here are called to invite people with whom we live, play, and work to know God the Father better through his Son Jesus.

Who are these people that we are supposed to invite to God's kingdom? A 2001 survey shows that 41% of Catholics (21 million adults) do not belong to a parish. Most of them are inactive in their faith, but they do not have a big problem with the Church. Some just gradually drifted away because of moving to a new neighborhood, getting more involved in their jobs, in their children's sports, etc. Nine out of ten say they would welcome an invitation back to the Church. Inactive people are part of our own families, as is apparent from the prayers for them during daily Mass petitions.

The percentage of unchurched is a little higher when considering all American adults. Some 47% (almost 100 million) do not belong to a church or synagogue or do not go to one except perhaps at Easter, Christmas or at a funeral or wedding. Even six out of ten of these would welcome our invitation. They cannot encounter God on their own; they need a community of faith

Our opportunities to invite others to know God are almost unlimited. I like to think of standing in a check-out line and realizing that one of the people on either side of me is unchurched and needs to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ from me.

How do we tell others about Jesus? Each of us has our own faith story of how God has worked in our own life. It is our story and it isn't wrong. We can learn our story by rehearsing it in our mind. Then we can practice telling our story to our family. Who better?

The best way to perfect our story is in a small Christian community of fellow parishioners who are traveling their own faith journeys with us. New small Christian communities started just one week ago, as part of RENEW; there is still time to join one. I have been a member of such a group for 13 years and have only high praise for our members who have grown in their faith and ability to tell others about it.

For those of us who are participating in RENEW, this week we will focus on the generosity of God the Father and how we should respond to him.

God the Father wants all of us. Some of us have been lucky enough to receive his invitation through others in our lives. Once we personally say "yes" to this invitation, then we too have the responsibility of extending the Father's invitation to others. Lord, you give us the great commission!