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Welcome to our Bible StudyWelcome to our Bible Study

2828thth Sunday in Ordinary TimeSunday in Ordinary Time

October 9, 2011October 9, 2011Indigenous Peoples SundayIndigenous Peoples Sunday

In preparation for this Sundays LiturgyIn preparation for this Sundays Liturgy

In aid of focusing our homilies and sharingIn aid of focusing our homilies and sharing

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First Reading:First Reading: IsaiahIsaiah 25,6-10a25,6-10a

6 On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for allpeoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, richfood 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 willdestroy death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away thetears from all faces. The reproach of his people he willremove 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 Forthe hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain.

The focus is on the mountain (Mt. Zion).

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FirstFirst ReadingReading: Isaiah 25,6-10a: Isaiah 25,6-10a 6 On this mountain the LORD

of hosts will provide for allpeoples a feast of rich foodand choice wines, juicy, richfood and pure, choice wines.

7 On this mountain he willdestroy the veil that veils allpeoples, the web that is woven

over all nations; 8 he willdestroy death forever. TheLord GOD will wipe away thetears from all faces. Thereproach of his people he willremove from the whole earth;for the LORD has spoken. 9

On that day it will be said:"Behold our God, to whom welooked to save us! This is theLORD for whom we looked; letus rejoice and be glad that hehas saved us!" 10 For thehand of the LORD will rest on

this mountain.

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 thismountain. It emphasizes the importanceof 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 begrateful to God.

V.10 gives the reason why. God will be

present in this place.

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ReflectionsReflections on the first readingon 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. He throws them a feast. He treats them with good food.

God uses Mt. Zion as the locus of showing his power tohis people.

The mountain is a symbol of Gods presence. It is the

place where God acts for his people and where the peoplerecognize his gift of salvation.

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FurtherFurtherreflectionsreflections To experience Gods presence in our lives, we must climb

his mountain. We must exert effort to approach him at theappointed times.

Though we believe that God is everywhere, the mountainis a special place for encounter with God.

On Mt. Sinai, Yahweh gave his commandments andcovenanted with his people. Elijah sought refuge on Mt.Horeb, when Queen Jezebel tried to kill him, and thereGod came quietly to console him and give him anotherassignment.

Jesus was transfigured on Mt. Tabor.

Jesus died on Mt. Calvary for our sins.

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What do we consider as the mountain in ourlives? Where do we go to find satisfaction?Where do we go to remove the veil and the webthat paralyze us? Where do we go to wipe ourtears away? Where do we go to say our sincerethanks and praise to God?

That mountain may not always be a privateplace without distractions. It may be a placewhere people congregate and together theylisten to the message of a prophet or a teacher,like the mountain in Jerusalem itself.

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Resp. Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6Resp. 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.

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.2 In verdant pastures he gives me repose;beside restful waters he leads me;3a 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 foes;you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

6 Only goodness and kindness follow me

all the days of my life;and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD

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Resp. Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6Resp. 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.

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall notwant.2 In verdant pastures he gives me repose;beside restful waters he leads me;3a he refreshes my soul.

3b He guides me in right paths for hisname'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 me

in the sight of my foes;you anoint my head with oil; my cupoverflows.

6 Only goodness and kindness follow meall the days of my life;and I shall dwell in the house of the LORDfor years to come.

Commentary

Ps 23 is one of the most beautiful

psalms, and the psalm mostfrequently used.

Here, God is seen as ashepherd / good provider / goodguide.

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 experiencedthe goodness of God.

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Reflections on the PsalmReflections 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.

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Second Reading:Second Reading: Philippians 4,12-14Philippians 4,12-14

12 I know indeed how to live in humblecircumstances; I know also how to livewith abundance. In every circumstance

and in all things I have learned the secretof being well fed and of going hungry, ofliving in abundance and of being in need.13 I have the strength for everything

through him who empowers me. 14 Still, itwas kind of you to share in my distress.

The focus is on experience of need and abundance.

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Second Reading: Philippians 4,12-14Second Reading: Philippians 4,12-14

12 I know indeed howto live in humblecircumstances; I knowalso how to live withabundance. In everycircumstance and in all

things I have learnedthe secret of being wellfed and of goinghungry, of living inabundance and of

being in need. 13 Ihave the strength foreverything through himwho empowers me. 14Still, it was kind of youto share in my distress.

Commentary

St. Paul shares with us his lifeexperiences in v.12.

He has learned how to livewell in contrasting situations:

In humble circumstances and inabundance

In being well-fed and in hunger

In times of famine and in timesof feast.

In v.13, Paul attributes toJesus his ability to cope.

In v.14, Paul is appreciative ofthe Philippians, who share inhis sufferings (distress).

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Reflections on the second readingReflections 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 withmore 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.

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Gospel Reading: Matthew 22,1-14Gospel 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 awedding feast for his son. 3 He dispatched his servants tosummon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused tocome. 4 A second time he sent other servants, saying, 'Tellthose invited: "Behold, I have prepared my banquet, mycalves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready;come to the feast."' 5 Some ignored the invitation and wentaway, one to his farm, another to his business. 6 The restlaid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. 7The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those

murderers, and burned their city. 8 Then he said to hisservants, 'The feast is ready, but those who were invited werenot worthy to come. 9 Go out, therefore, into the main roadsand invite to the feast whomever you find.' 10 The servantswent out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad andgood alike, and the hall was filled with guests.

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11 But when the king came in to meet the guestshe saw a man there not dressed in a weddinggarment. 12 He said to him, 'My friend, how is itthat you came in here without a wedding

garment?' But he was reduced to silence. 13Then the king said to his attendants, 'Bind hishands and feet, and cast him into the darknessoutside, where there will be wailing and grindingof teeth.' 14 Many are invited, but few are

chosen."

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Gospel Reading: Matthew 22,1-14Gospel Reading: Matthew 22,1-14Parable of the Wedding Banquet

Jesus again in reply spoke to them in parables, saying, 2 "Thekingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a weddingfeast 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 cattleare killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast."' 5 Someignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to hisbusiness. 6 The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, andkilled them.

The Kings Judgment

7 The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed thosemurderers, and burned their city.

A simple outline!

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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 hisattendants, '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."

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Commentary on the gospelCommentary 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 whowere invited to come.

The second parable (11-14) focuses on those who showed up butwere not prepared for the occasion.

On both parables, we may ask: how come that the king who invitesis so insistent and then he becomes violent and destructive? Whydoes he not just respect the feelings of others? He should not forceanyone 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.

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Reflections on the gospel readingReflections 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 occasionsto 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.

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Worldly concerns (individual work and personal interests)

hinder us from being keen in attending to Godsconcerns.

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.

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Tying the 3 readings and the PsalmTying 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, livingin

abundance.( 2nd reading)

Everything is ready; come to the feast. (Gospel reading).

Be ready too.

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How to develop your homily / sharingHow 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 tolose appetite.

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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.

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In the first reading, God offers a sumptuous

meal to his people.

God serves nutritious food and best wine in the

mountain.

Not only that, God will eliminate all the elementsthat 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.

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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 isnot there. He adjusts.

He attributes his ability to adjust to Christ.

Paul is physically and spiritually happy. He experiences joy in all circumstances.

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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.

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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.

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Our Context of Sin and GraceOur Context of Sin and Grace

Alibis

Inability to relate

Gate crashers

Unkempt Always eating

Voracious eater

Greed

Junk foods

Kill joy

Fraternal gatherings

Agape

Social grace

Neat Wedding banquets

Anniversaries

Birthday celebrations

Common recreations

Nice and well executed

liturgies