Commentary: Today?s first reading and the gospel reading speak of a great feast or banquet. The imagery of a banquet is often used in Scripture to refer to God?s kingdom, that is, heaven. Here the Prophet Isaiah speaks of a celebratory banquet on ?this mountain,? which refers to Zion, the holy mountain in Jerusalem. He speaks of a future time when God ?will destroy death forever? and the ?veil/web? over the nations will be lifted. This indicates that this prophesy was fulfilled through Jesus. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God destroyed death and also opened the doorway for Gentiles (i.e. the non-Jewish nations) to join the people of God and, thus, be welcomed at the banquet of God. Jesus is the one for ?whom we looked to save us.? He came to offer salvation to the world, including the Gentiles. In other words, Jesus came to invite all peoples to his heavenly banquet, so he can wipe away our tears and grant us true rest in him for all eternity.
Commentary: Here towards the end of Paul?s letter to the Philippians, he recounts some of his experiences and evidences his total trust in the Lord. Paul has experienced ?humble circumstances? and ?abundance.? We know from the New Testament that Paul has, in fact, experienced a wide variety of circumstances from great success to utter poverty. As he is writing these words, Paul is actually in prison, experiencing one of the low points of his many experiences. Yet, in ?every circumstance? Paul has learned to trust God. He recognizes that all things are possible in Christ and that he can have strength in all circumstances because of the strength Christ offers him. Paul thanks the Philippian believers for their concern for him, while also ensuring them that he has everything he needs in Christ. He then reassures them that they also will have whatever they need because God will fully supply it for them in Christ. Finally, Paul gives praise and glory to God as he closes out his beautiful letter to the Philippians.
Commentary: In order to understand this parable properly, we must understand who each of the characters represent. God is the king who is calling the wedding feast. Jesus is the son, the bridegroom, for whom the wedding feast is being called. The feast itself represents eternal life and salvation, as it does also in the first reading. The first servants who send out invitations represent the prophets of the Old Testament and the wedding guests who rejected the invitation and even killed the servants represent the Israelites, for they often rejected God?s messengers. As a result, when Jesus came, he called new servants, who represent the Apostles, to invite new guests. They invited anyone and everyone, Gentiles included, to the feast. Thus, Israel?s rejection of God?s invitation opened the door for all the nations to be invited into the feast. That is why the Church Christ founded is called Catholic, which means universal, because all are invited to be a part of it. Yet, still some will reject the invitation and others will come but will not be prepared (as in the one not wearing a wedding garment), for they will not live in a manner worthy of the invitation they have received.
Taking it Home:
We are all invited to the wedding feast. God offers salvation to all people, but that does not mean all people will be saved, because many will reject the invitation. Also, even those of us who receive the invitation must live in a way worthy of the feast. Reflect on how you can clothe yourself more fully in righteousness and live in a way worthy of heaven.