This Sunday, October 12, 2014 (28A), the message of the parable of the royal wedding banquet is clear. God invites the people of Israel to his wedding banquet in heaven but despite the fact that they have enjoyed his favor over so many generations they do not come.
Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Oct 12, 2014 (28A)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University
Sunday Mass Readings
Podcast of the Readings
Video of Reflections on Readings
Lecturas y Comentarios
New American Bible
Prayer of the Hours
BQ: Why is it a sin to miss Mass on Sunday?
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Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
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First Reading
Book of the prophet Isaiah, Chapter 25, Verses 6-10a
1. How might banquet imagery describe the fullness of life in the presence of God. How can a feast of juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines be a sacramental vision of the universe?
2. God will destroy the veil (= anything that separates the people from the divine presence of God), and will also destroy death and wipe away all tears from every face. How do these images speaks to you? Explain.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 23: 1-6
1. The Psalm likens us to sheep of the Good Shepherd ("The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.") Are you willing to humble yourself before the Lord, and become obedient as sheep do? Explain.
2. If you are willing to be obedient to the Lord, there are many rewards promised in the Psalm. Mention some of these and say which ones
you have received.
Second Reading
Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians, Chapter 4, Verses 12-14, 19-20
1. “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,” St. Paul says. Do you feel the same about being well fed and being hungry? What is the secret Paul learned?
2. All of these readings show God bestowing gifts on us without measure. Did the Philippians imitate this in their self-giving sacrifice for Paul? Do you “measure” when you give? How could you be a little freer?
Gospel
According to Matthew, Chapter 22, Verses 1-14
1. What does the Father give us in the Eucharistic banquet? What hungers are satisfied?
2. God invite us to the banquet and sets the table and offers us the wedding garment. (The wedding garment signifies a readiness to understand and act on Jesus’ teachings.) Besides answering God’s invitation, what is our job? How does this banquet not only sustain life but also transfigure it?
Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share your thoughts on the Sunday Readings. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.
--
“I will dwell in the house of the Lord
ReplyDeleteall the days of my life.”
It is said that this wonderful prayer
was written at the end of King David’s life.
We are with David as he passes
from death to life
on God’s holy mountain.
Isaiah says the Lord will provide
a feast of rich food and choice wines
on His holy mountain.
The psalmist tells us,
“The Lord prepares a table before me …
he anoints my head with oil,
my cup runneth over.”
Isaiah says that God wipes away our tears.
King David tells us ,
“Even though I walk through the valley of death,
I shall fear no evil, for you are with me.”
What greater companion
would we want as we face death?
St. Paul agrees --
his strength comes from the Lord,
through Jesus, who empowers him.
This is the same Lord
who shepherds us in the Psalm.
“He restores my soul.”
David sets the tone for what is to come --
Jesus becomes the good Shepherd,
leads us beside still waters,
guides us along the right path.
With the Good Shepherd as our guide,
if we walk with him,
we are sure to be among the chosen ones,
and we are sure to be clothed in the right clothing
when we arrive on God’s holy mountain.
Amen