First reading: 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.

Second reading: 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.

Gospel: Mt. 22:1–10

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.”

In other words

by Fr. Chito Lorenzo, SVD (Japan)

Town fiestas in the Philippines are events that people look forward to because it is an opportunity for a free meal. I still remember in high school being invited to a classmate’s home and seeing the long table outside their house filled with food and the people sitting next to each other eating with gusto. Also, very memorable for me was the fact there were people already standing behind, waiting for those who were eating to finish so that they could take their seats and partake of the food.

This brings us to the readings. Isaiah says the Lord will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines. St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians states: “My God will fully supply whatever you need.” And finally, in the Gospel parable, the king says: “Tell the invited, I have prepared my banquet… Come to the feast.” Again, the invitation goes out, but what did the people in the story do? Those who were invited did not come!

This is where reality and the parable separate. I think everyone would be honored just to be invited to a royal feast in real life. The fact that we are still obsessed with royalty today would indicate that nobody in their right minds would turn down such an invitation. But Jesus was not talking about a feast about food and drink. He was talking about the heavenly feast, an invitation to everlasting life. And those who were first invited did not understand or did not care. So the invitation went out to everyone and not just a select few. The Jews believed that they would be the ones saved. Now Jesus was telling them that everybody has a chance to be saved.

Adam and Eve sinned and were driven away from Paradise. No matter how much they longed to get back, they could not do it on their own. And so God promised a Messiah. Someone who would save humanity from sin and eternal damnation. Jesus did the heavy lifting for us. We did not have to suffer and die on the cross. Jesus took it upon himself to do that for us. Through his death and resurrection, we have gained back eternal life.

The invitation is once again given. God says: “I have prepared a banquet for you. Come to the feast.” I have heard it said that 80% of success is showing up. If that is true. all we need to do is say yes to the invitation and show up. The remaining 20% would entail an effort on our part to be worthy of that banquet.