Isaiah 25:6-10a / Psalm 22:1-6/Phil.4:12-14,19-20/Matthew 21:1- 44

The first reading from the prophet Isaiah is an announcement of salvation – thus, the Lord promises to provide abundantly for all and remove obstacles that blind nations. He will end death, comfort his people, and eradicate their disgrace. All will recognize and rejoice in God’s salvation.

The Lord’s salvation includes the provision of a ritual meal on Mt. Zion (“the mountain,” v. 6), and bringing an end to suffering. It says these acts will evoke praise and joy from the Lord’s people. The banquet on the mountain recalls the ritual meal on Mt. Sinai in the time of Moses (Ex. 24:9-11). God shares this meal with “all peoples” signifying reconciliation and communion, this sharing of a meal also brings about conversion.

In the second reading, Paul expresses contentment in all situations, whether in scarcity or plenty. Through Christ’s strength, he remains resilient. He acknowledges the support of others and assures God’s provision for their needs, praising God eternally.

Beloved in Christ, Paul certainly believed that the strength he experienced in his hour of weakness is available to all who believe in the Lord. The same Lord whose presence to Paul in prison gave him great strength, is present to all of us to strengthen us in our own times of struggle. He knew from experience that what he could not do on his own, he could do with the Lord’s help – “my grace is sufficient for you…”

Jesus shares a parable of a king who hosts a wedding feast for his son. The Banquet is prepared. The Hall (Church) is ready. The food (The Eucharist – his Body and Blood; The Scriptures – his Word) is on the table. The King has issued the invitations for his son’s((Jesus) wedding feast (Kingdom of God).

The feast we are called to share is the eternal banquet that awaits the redeemed in heaven, but we must remember that it begins here on earth and people’s lack of awareness of the Lord’s presence could cause them the expulsion from the banquet.

Beloved, God’s intent for us is to share with us the riches of the ‘banquet’ of life. But God’s graciousness and generosity should not be an excuse for complacency. Our lack of cooperation can exclude us from the banquet – the invited guests’ refusal of the King’s invitation.

God’s invitation is a great net of grace that envelops all that is good or bad. Each day we are invited to taste the joy and the hope of the gospel for ourselves, and to become messengers of that joy and hope to others. For, the Bridegroom longs to have us share in his banquet but to be admitted, it is necessary that we respond to his invitation and be of the right disposition (the wedding garment) to receive what he wants to give.

Lastly, the gospel reminds us that we can be like those who have rejected God’s love and grace, like those wayward guests whom the king had invited to his banquet, but they all allowed their many distractions and temptations to get their priorities all wrong. So, let us all endeavour to take up that new garment of faith and turn away from the temptations of the world, any inordinate desire, attachments, that had kept us from truly being able to follow the Lord. 

ROSARY PRAYERS: GLORIOUS MYSTERIES.