October 8, 2008
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Breaking Open the Word By James Cavanagh Oct. 12: 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Scripture readings: Theme: Banquet of joy. Just as the vineyard was a symbol of the People of God (see last week’s readings) so the great messianic banquet was a powerful image of the eschatological age (the ultimate destiny of the world). On that day God will conquer evil, sin and death and “wipe away the tears from every face” (first reading). Psalm 23 reiterates this theme as the Lord “prepares a table” for the faithful whose “cup overflows” with joy, and whose greatest happiness is “to dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” In this week’s Gospel Jesus tells a parable about the great banquet, reminding his hearers of Isaiah’s prophesy. Christ not only talked about the messianic banquet, he actually demonstrated it when he dined with outcasts to show that the messianic age had arrived. He demonstrated it in definitive way at the Last Supper and confirmed it from the altar of the cross when he announced, “It is finished!” (John 19:30). Every time we come together to celebrate the Eucharist, we participate in the messianic age and are given a foretaste of the heavenly banquet that awaits us. Key verse: “God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:19). “Catechism of the Catholic Church”: “In an ancient prayer the Church acclaims the mystery of the Eucharist: ‘O sacred banquet in which Christ is received as food, the memory of his Passion is renewed, the soul is filled with grace and a pledge of the life to come is given to us.’ If the Eucharist is the memorial of the Passover of the Lord Jesus, if by our communion at the altar we are filled ‘with every heavenly blessing and grace,’ then the Eucharist is also an anticipation of the heavenly glory” (No. 1402). Pope Benedict XVI: “Jesus’ coming responded to an expectation present in the people of Israel, in the whole of humanity and ultimately in creation itself. By his self-gift, he objectively inaugurated the eschatological age. Every Eucharistic celebration sacramentally accomplishes the eschatological gathering of the People of God. For us, the Eucharistic banquet is a real foretaste of the final banquet foretold by the prophets (cf. Is 25:6-9) and described in the New Testament as “the marriage-feast of the Lamb” (Rev 19:7-9), to be celebrated in the joy of the communion of saints” (“Sacramentum Caritatis,” 31). Application: This week’s readings, especially the Gospel, are both an invitation and a warning. We are invited to the great Supper of the Lamb, the Eucharistic feast and eschatological banquet. This is a reason for great joy. “Everything is ready; come to the feast!” the Lord announces. But we are also warned that those who refuse the invitation will be “cast out into the darkness.” |
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