Daily Readings - Sun Oct 15 2023
Isaiah
6On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine- the best of meats and the finest of wines.7On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations;8he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The LORD has spoken.9In that day they will say, "Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation."10The hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain; but Moab will be trampled under him as straw is trampled down in the manure.
Philippians
12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.14Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.19And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.20To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Matthew
1Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying:2"The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.3He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.4"Then he sent some more servants and said, 'Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.'5"But they paid no attention and went off--one to his field, another to his business.6The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them.7The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.8"Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come.9Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.'10So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and 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.