… so that through them you may come to share in the divine nature.” (2 Peter 1:4)

Imagine you have just received an invitation to a birthday party, baby shower, or wedding from someone close to you. Your heart is filled with excitement as you open the invitation to find out the date and time of the celebration. You eagerly look forward to the event, a time of celebration when your friend isn’t asking much—just that you show up so that you can enjoy the conver-sations, the food, and the fellowship of so many good people.

The process of getting ready for the party can be a little stressful: You have to pick out a gift, figure out what to wear, arrange for a babysitter, and maybe even make travel arrangements. But consider-ing that this party will only deepen your relationship with your friend, you know that it’s well worth the effort.

In a similar way, Jesus is inviting us to a party where we can enjoy his company and the company of all his friends and family. He is inviting us to prayer and the celebration of the Eucharist—experiences that are both celebrations and opportunities for us to share in his divine nature. Imagine the generosity: We accept his invitation, and he changes us from the inside out, making us more like him!

But like the invitation to a friend’s celebration, the process of getting ready for Jesus’ invitation can be a bit stressful. After all, he is asking us to turn from our sins and try our best to practice virtues like faith, perseverance, and love (2 Peter 1:5-7). But when you stack this up next to the benefits Jesus is offering us, there really is no comparison. Who wouldn’t want to become like Christ? Who wouldn’t want to live in the freedom, joy, and power that Jesus wants to give us?

Yes, there are a few things we need to do if we want to accept Jesus’ invitation. But this is the best party the world will ever know. Why not do all you can to get ready for it?

“Yes, Lord, I accept your invitation! I want your own divine life to fill me and shape me. Thank you, Lord, for your great and precious promise of life!”

Psalm 91:1-2,14-16; Mark 12:1-12