Readying Ourselves for the Feast By Beth DeCristofaro

Readying Ourselves for the Feast By Beth DeCristofaro

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

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. (Isaiah 25 6-8)

 

"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. … 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. (Matthew 22:2-3, 8-10)

 

Piety

Dear God, I pray that in every circumstance and in all things, I learn to live in humble or abundant circumstances.  May I do all that I can do, and do them for (Jesus) who strengthens me.      (from Philippians 4:12-13)

 

Study

Matthew uses the Old Testament image of a wedding feast to portray what God’s gift of final salvation will be like.  At weddings there is usually much happiness, possibly even giddiness, sharing of new moments and precious memories with others, helping out those tasked with hosting, dancing, overindulging.  A great time is had by all!  Yet Matthew warns his readers that those Chosen must take advantage of the invitation and that there are many places available for “all peoples” if we choose to decline.  The parable speaks directly to the experience of Matthew’s audience but it also reminds them and us that the feast is a communal event, not a sole activity.  God invites us to share this joy with grateful hearts not to sit in a salvific corner by ourselves.

 

Born in God’s image yet touched by sin, we cannot meet the standard to enter the Kingdom on our own.  Jesus freely interceded on our behalf because we fall short.  Jesus established his Holy Church so that as a community we can engage together in the building of the Kingdom he established but not yet perfected.  It takes a roomful to party!  It takes a community to make church and to feast together.  Paul thanked the Philippians for taking him in when he was in distress.  He then witnessed to Jesus who empowered him and them to enter the feast.  

 

In Matthew’s parable, some who refused the invitation harmed the messengers. We must walk away from harmful thoughts and actions and walk toward God’s thoughts and actions to enter the feast.  Greed, corruption, self-centeredness, fear, lust, bitterness can slam the doors if we indulge in them.  God asks us to practice compassion, kindness, humility, patience, generosity.  These actions influence others.  We are invited individually yet we are part of God’s greater whole.     

 

Action

What am I wearing, what am I holding on to which inhibits my fully feasting with Jesus?  Who do I have trouble picturing feasting with me?  Why?  Pray today to be enabled, to be grateful and accepting of the invitation for myself and those Chosen with me.