October 11
Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
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.
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.
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 22:1-14
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."
Give a Mass Offering
Prayer for Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
“I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.”
Readings & Reflection
“Many are invited, but few are chosen!” These are the final words of the Gospel we hear this weekend. I am not sure about you, but these words give me a chill every time I hear them. Does it make you wonder why God would invite you and not choose you? Every time I hear this Gospel, I begin to think of a particular word that I often reflect on. That word is worthy. Are we worthy to be in the presence of God? Are we worthy of His love? Are we worthy to receive Him in the Eucharist? These questions come up in my mind and people ask me them often. If we reflect on being worthy, we could ask ourselves are we doing our best to be worthy disciples of Christ? The better question to ask ourselves this week is, are we ready to receive his presence, his love, and his very being in the Eucharist?
Many times, we get so caught up in wondering if we are worthy or not, when we must remember that He gives us all those things freely. Let’s take a look this week at our readings. In the book of Isaiah, we hear that the Lord of hosts will provide for all people, while St Paul’s letter to the Philippians reminds us that God will supply whatever you need. You have been called to the banquet of the Lord knowing that He will provide for you even in what you lack. None of us are complete. We come to the Lord with all of our baggage and difficulties and lay them at His feet. We recognize that none of us are completely worthy, but He gives of Himself freely each time we come to Him in prayer and adoration. Take some time this week and reflect on how you can become closer to God and accept his presence in your lives this week.
Peace,
Fr Matt Rawson
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