Daily Readings - Sun Oct 15 2023
Isaiah
6On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined.7And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations.8He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken.9It will be said on that day, "Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation."10For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain, and Moab shall be trampled down in his place, as straw is trampled down in a dunghill.
Philippians
12I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.13I can do all things through him who strengthens me.14Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.19And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.20To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Matthew
1And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying,2"The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son,3and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come.4Again he sent other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.'5But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business,6while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them.7The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.8Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy.9Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.'10And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on God's gracious invitation and our response to it. The prophet Isaiah paints a vivid picture of a future feast on Mount Zion, where God will wipe away tears and remove the shroud of death, offering comfort and salvation to His people. This vision underscores God's enduring promise of restoration and joy, a messianic hope that transcends current sufferings.
In Philippians, Paul embodies this hope in his present circumstances, expressing contentment whether in abundance or need, trusting in Christ's strength. He thanks the Philippians for their support, assuring them of God's provision. This passage highlights the Christian virtue of trusting God's providence, knowing He meets all our needs.
The Gospel parable of the wedding feast serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of rejecting God's invitation. The king's generosity is met with indifference and violence, leading to the destruction of the ungrateful and the invitation being extended to all others. This parable calls us to readiness and openness to God's call, emphasizing that His invitation is universal, yet requires a willing heart.
In our daily lives, let us embrace God's invitation with gratitude and trust. May we, like Paul, find contentment in all circumstances, trusting in God's plan. As we look forward to the eternal feast, may we respond with eagerness, ensuring we are prepared to accept His invitation whenever it comes. Let us live with hearts open to God's will, trusting in His providence and rejoicing in His promises.