We are invited to the feast of all feasts; are you ready?
by Sister Mary Kabat
When I pray the Scripture readings of the day I “look” and “listen” for a word, a challenge, an encouragement to take with me for the day. However, praying the Scripture readings for this Sunday has left me with an overwhelming feeling of sadness.
In the passage from Isaiah (25:6-10a) we have the beautiful image of our loving God providing a banquet for all people, destroying the “veil” that separates us from him and each other and drying every tear. On such a day the prophet Isaiah says we will rejoice in the God who saves us. Do you long for such a day? Following the local, national and world news each day, I do!
But the Gospel for today from Matthew (22:1-14) seems to describe us, God’s children, as we are at this time. God has sent out the invitations and prepared the feast, but we don’t come. We are busy with things that seem more important and more immediate. Or we are too filled with anger and envy to hear the loving invitation. Or we give superficial acceptance of the invitation, but God can see our inner truth by our outer appearance.
St. Paul in his Letter to the Philippians (4:12-14, 19-20) offers us some wisdom for how to attend God’s banquet and how to live compassionately with all our brothers and sisters. He, through his sufferings, has learned to be content and at peace with the circumstances in which he finds himself. His heart and mind are open and accepting of God and of the people and events that come his way.
Pray these Scriptures readings and find yourself in them
-- as you are now and
-- as the person whom you want our saving God to transform.
Very powerful thoughts, Sister!
When I hear this reading, I'm reminded of the "save this date" cards that we get in the mail from a relative or friend who is inviting us to save that date so that when the actual Invitation comes - it will be already reserved on our Calendar.
Jesus sends us a card in today's Reading. Will we accept?
God Bless you, Sister - you got my mind working..
In God's Never-ending Love & mercy,
Father Bill
P.S. A big "Hello!" to all the Sisters - I miss you all dearly, but I have no idea at this time of when I'll be able to come home again....