Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. "Then he sent some more servants and said, 'Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet." But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business. The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. (Matthew 22:1-7)

This Friday I will host a lunch. While celebratory, it is not nearly as elaborate as the wedding feast Jesus describes.

I am bringing a few state leaders together to meet with key members of the new presidential administration.

One who I invited sent his regrets. He had a prior commitment. Another I invited was scheduled for the same commitment. But this second person accepted my invitation and sent regrets to his original host.

One perceives this lunch to have a potential far beyond the prior commitment. The other does not perceive this potential.

How do we discern potential? How should we engage opportunity? Whatever we decide there will be consequences.