Lectionary 142: A Layman’s Take

Key:

What these passages tell us about God

What these passages tell us to do

What these passages tell us not to do

Commentary/observations

Reading 1 IS 25:6-10A

On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.

On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from every face; the reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken.

On that day it will be said: "Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us!
This is the LORD for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!"

For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain.

Responsorial Psalm PS 23:1-3A, 3B-4, 5, 6 

R. (6cd) I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
He guides me in right paths for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side
with your rod and your staff that give me courage.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

Reading 2 PHIL 4:12-14, 19-20

Brothers and sisters: I know how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance.
In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. 

I can do all things in him who strengthens me. 

Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress.

My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father, glory forever and ever. Amen.

Alleluia CF. EPH 1:17-18

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts,
so that we may know what is the hope that belongs to our call.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 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. 

But when the king came in to meet the guests, he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment.  The king said to him, 'My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?' But he was reduced to silence. Then the king said to his attendants, 'Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.' Many are invited, but few are chosen."

1.    These readings show how much God loves and wants relationship with people.

2.   He offers very good things (first reading, psalm, gospel).

3.   He offers those good things to all, the “bad and good alike,” as the gospel puts it. See also  Proverbs 8:5; Proverbs 9:1-4; Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:10 & 19.  

4.   He makes great efforts to press His invitation (gospel). See also Proverbs 9:1-5.

5.    We are richly blessed if we accept His grace (first reading, psalm, gospel).

6.   The gospel reading illustrates how not to respond to God’s graces: allowing yourself to be distracted by lesser goods, outright hostility/rejection, and simply ignoring God’s efforts to reach out to you.

7.    The gospel reading also illustrates the grievous consequences of rebuffing God’s grace.