Sunday Readings Commentary and Reflections

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Sunday Readings Commentary and Reflections

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Title: Sunday Readings Commentary and Reflections

1
Sunday ReadingsCommentary and Reflections

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time
October 12, 2014
Indigenous Peoples Sunday
Extreme Poverty Day
In preparation for this Sundays Liturgy
As aid in focusing our homilies and sharing

Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM
2
First Reading Isaiah 25,6-10a

6 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.
7 On this mountain he will destroy the veil that
veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all
nations 8 he will destroy death forever. The
Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces.
The reproach of his people he will remove from
the whole earth for the LORD has spoken. 9 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!" 10 For the hand of the LORD
will rest on this mountain.

The focus is on the mountain (Mt. Zion).
3
First Reading Isaiah 25,6-10a

Commentary
In v.6, the mountain refers to Mt. Zion.
It is the locus of Gods saving power.
God promises to treat, with a feast, all the
peoples, not only the Israelites.
The feast consists of rich, healthy food and best
wines.
V.7 repeats the expression on this mountain. It
emphasizes the importance of the place.
This time God promises to remove what keeps the
people enslaved and divided.
V.8 continues to speak of Gods promises
To wipe away sadness
To remove what causes them shame.
V.9, predicts that the peoples will be grateful
to God.
V.10 gives the reason why. God will be present in
this place.

6 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.
7 On this mountain he will destroy the veil that
veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all
nations 8 he will destroy death forever. The
Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces.
The reproach of his people he will remove from
the whole earth for the LORD has spoken. 9 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!" 10 For the hand of the LORD
will rest on this mountain.

4
Reflections on the first reading

God is a loving God.
He does not discriminate against anyone.
He shows his love to all the peoples, not only to
the Israelites.
His love embraces everyone.
To experience Gods presence in our lives, we
must climb his mountain. We must exert effort to
approach him at the appointed times.

5
Further reflections

Though we believe that God is everywhere, the
mountain is a special place for encounter with
God.
On Mt. Sinai, Yahweh gave his commandments and
covenanted with his people. Elijah sought refuge
on Mt. Horeb, when Queen Jezebel tried to kill
him, and there God came quietly to console him
and give him another assignment.
Jesus was transfigured on Mt. Tabor.
Jesus died on Mt. Calvary for our sins.

What do we consider as the mountain in our lives?
Where do we go to find satisfaction? Where do we
go to remove the veil and the web that paralyze
us? Where do we go to wipe our tears away? Where
do we go to say our sincere thanks and praise to
God?
That mountain may not always be a private place
without distractions. It may be a place where
people congregate and together they listen to the
message of a prophet or a teacher, like the
mountain in Jerusalem itself.

7
Resp. Ps 231-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6

R. (6cd) I shall live in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life.
1 The LORD is my shepherd I shall not want.2 In
verdant pastures he gives me reposebeside
restful waters he leads me3a he refreshes my
soul.
3b He guides me in right paths for his name's
sake.4 Even though I walk in the dark valleyI
fear no evil for you are at my sidewith your
rod and your staffthat give me courage.
5 You spread the table before mein the sight of
my foesyou anoint my head with oil my cup
overflows.
6 Only goodness and kindness follow meall the
days of my lifeand I shall dwell in the house
of the LORDfor years to come.

8
Resp. Ps 231-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6

Commentary
Ps 23 is one of the most beautiful psalms, and
the psalm most frequently used.
Here, God is seen as a shepherd / good provider /
good guide.
As a shepherd, God gives
Repose, rest (vv.1-2)
Refreshment, guide, protection, courage (vv.3-4)
Recognition in the midst of opposition (v.5)
Joy and contentment, secure life (v.6)
The psalm is a product of a person, who has
experienced the goodness of God.

R. (6cd) I shall live in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life.
1 The LORD is my shepherd I shall not want.2 In
verdant pastures he gives me reposebeside
restful waters he leads me3a he refreshes my
soul.
3b He guides me in right paths for his name's
sake.4 Even though I walk in the dark valleyI
fear no evil for you are at my sidewith your
rod and your staffthat give me courage.
5 You spread the table before mein the sight of
my foesyou anoint my head with oil my cup
overflows.
6 Only goodness and kindness follow meall the
days of my lifeand I shall dwell in the house
of the LORDfor years to come.

9
Reflections on the Psalm

The poem can be idyllic, but it demonstrates the
concrete kindness and goodness of God.
God is a caring God.
He is after our total well-being.
Can you write a psalm that looks like it?
You can, if you have pleasant experiences with
God and a thankful heart.

10
Second Reading Philippians 4,12-14

12 I know indeed 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. 13 I have the strength for
everything through him who empowers me. 14
Still, it was kind of you to share in my
distress.

The focus is on experience of need and abundance.
11
Second Reading Philippians 4,12-14

Commentary
St. Paul shares with us his life experiences in
v.12.
He has learned how to live well in contrasting
situations
In humble circumstances and in abundance
In being well-fed and in hunger
In times of famine and in times of feast.
In v.13, Paul attributes to Jesus his ability to
cope.
In v.14, Paul is appreciative of the Philippians,
who share in his sufferings (distress).

12 I know indeed 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. 13 I have the strength for
everything through him who empowers me. 14
Still, it was kind of you to share in my
distress.

12
Reflections on the second reading

Like St. Paul, in prison at this time (in
Ephesus), we should not take offense of our
deprivation.
If we have deep spirituality (connected to
Christ, with strong prayer life), we will have
the strength to cope with more privations.
When we are down, remember that our loved ones
feel the same way too. They are in solidarity
with us. Let us thank them like St. Paul.

13
Gospel Reading Matthew 22,1-14

Jesus again in reply spoke to them in parables,
saying, 2 "The kingdom of heaven may be likened
to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son.
3 He dispatched his servants to summon the
invited guests to the feast, but they refused to
come. 4 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."' 5 Some ignored the invitation
and went away, one to his farm, another to his
business. 6 The rest laid hold of his servants,
mistreated them, and killed them. 7 The king was
enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those
murderers, and burned their city. 8 Then he said
to his servants, 'The feast is ready, but those
who were invited were not worthy to come. 9 Go
out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to
the feast whomever you find.' 10 The servants
went out into the streets and gathered all they
found, bad and good alike, and the hall was
filled with guests.

11 But when the king came in to meet the guests
he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding
garment. 12 He said to him, 'My friend, how is
it that you came in here without a wedding
garment?' But he was reduced to silence. 13 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.' 14 Many are invited, but few are
chosen."

15
Gospel Reading Matthew 22,1-14
A simple outline!

Parable of the Wedding Banquet
Jesus again in reply spoke to them in parables,
saying, 2 "The kingdom of heaven may be likened
to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son.
1st summon of invited guests
3 He dispatched his servants to summon the
invited guests to the feast, but they refused to
come.
2nd summon of invited guests
4 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."' 5 Some ignored the invitation and went
away, one to his farm, another to his business.
6 The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated
them, and killed them.
The Kings Judgment
7 The king was enraged and sent his troops,
destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.

Unworthy guests
8 Then he said to his servants, 'The feast is
ready, but those who were invited were not worthy
to come.
3rd summon
9 Go out, therefore, into the main roads and
invite to the feast whomever you find.' 10 The
servants went out into the streets and gathered
all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall
was filled with guests.
Unworthy guest
11 But when the king came in to meet the guests
he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding
garment. 12 He said to him, 'My friend, how is
it that you came in here without a wedding
garment?' But he was reduced to silence. 13 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.' 14 Many are invited, but few are
chosen."

17
Commentary on the gospel

There are two parables fused into one.
Both come under the title, The Parable of the
Wedding Banquet/Feast
The first parable (vv. 1-10) focuses on the
refusal of those who are invited to come.
The second parable (11-14) focuses on those who
show up but are not prepared for the occasion.
On both parables, we may ask how come that the
king who invites is so insistent and then he
becomes violent and destructive? Why does he not
just respect the feelings of others? He should
not force anyone to attend the wedding.
There are three kinds of responses from those
invited
Some simply refuse to come.
Others have alibis work in the farm, engage in
business
Still others become violent.

18
Reflections on the gospel reading

God invites us to attend his banquet.
We should not refuse his invitation. We should
make it our priority.
The wedding banquet symbolizes Gods initiative
to draw us to himself. In those days, weddings
were the best occasions to forge ties between two
parties, not only the bride and the groom, but
their families as well. During weddings, all
other activities are suspended.
This wedding is not an ordinary occasion it is a
royal wedding. Everybody should be interested in
it and not take it for granted. One should feel
honored if invited.

Worldly concerns (individual work and personal
interests) hinder us from being keen in attending
to Gods concerns.
In responding, we should do it properly. It is
not enough to be present. One must be prepared
and presentable (in a wedding garment).
We do not trivialize Gods invitation. We should
show respect to the host, as well as, exhibit
self-respect, by dressing up.

20
Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm

The common theme is food and feast.
The LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples a
feast of rich food and choice wines. (1st
reading)
God is a good shepherd, who feeds his flock.
I have learned the secret of being well fed,
living in abundance. ( 2nd reading)
Everything is ready come to the feast. (Gospel
reading). Be ready too.

21
How to develop your homily / sharing

We need food to live.
We enjoy eating our food if we eat together with
our friends and loved ones.
Meals have a social dimension.
During meals, we are expected to be respectful
and sensitive to the needs of others.
We are taught not to argue during meals, not to
lose appetite.

The readings for today talk about meals.
In the gospel, God serves not just an ordinary
meal but a banquet.
He invites us to partake in his banquet of love.
We should not fail to oblige.
It is a great honor to be invited, more so, if we
respond positively.

In the first reading, God offers a sumptuous meal
to his people.
God serves nutritious food and best wine in the
mountain (no salty, sugary, fatty, toxic junk
food).
Not only that, God will eliminate all the
elements that hinder people from coming together.
God does not like anyone to be isolated from the
others.
It is his will that we enjoy our meals together.

In the second reading, Paul shares with the
Philippians his personal experiences, both in
want and in abundance.
In times of abundance, he exercises moderation.
He does not abuse his appetite. He is in control.
In times of want, he does not demand what is not
there. He adjusts.
He attributes his ability to adjust to Christ.
Paul is physically and spiritually happy.
He experiences joy in all circumstances.

It is unbecoming of a Christian to eat by
himself, when it is possible to eat with others.
Good food, with conversation, helps build
friendship and relationships.
When invited to a party, we must dress up
properly for the occasion to honor the host.
Let each ordinary meal be an agape.

The eucharist is a banquet of love.
Here, Jesus gives himself totally in the form of
bread and wine.
Through the eucharist, he wants to satisfy our
hunger for God.
There is no other and better way to be in
communion with God than through the eucharist
received in a disposed manner.

27
Our Context of Sin and Grace