Which Banquet Will You Choose? ~ by Mary Ann Allen
In Matthew's Gospel over the past several weeks, Jesus has been telling us what the Kingdom of Heaven is like. Remember the pearl of great price, the mustard seed and the treasure found in a field? The Kingdom is something so precious, that we will give all we have in order to obtain it.
In today's Isaiah reading, we learn that God has prepared a place for those who trust in Him in truth. The Lord compares Heaven to a banquet where our thirst will be quenched and our hunger will be satisfied.
In the Gospel reading, we learn about two different kinds of banquets. Jesus is told of the death of John the Baptist, the outcome of King Herod's banquet of a previous night where the Baptist's head was presented to Salome at her request.
But the miraculous banquet that Jesus prepared is one born of the unselfishness of the people who shared their food among themselves as they listened to the words of Jesus. They believed and trusted in Him so completely that after they had eaten their fill and were satisfied, they felt no need to put aside food for their journey home. They knew that Jesus would take care of them. Thus, when Jesus asked what was left over, the disciples told him they had collected enough to fill twelve wicker baskets.
We can easily see that the banquet Jesus provided for the people brought satisfaction to them; whereas, Herod's banquet brought nothing but death. We all know which banquet we would choose. Our satisfaction will come when we not only listen to the Word of God that Jesus gives to us; but when we come to understand and accept it also. We unite ourselves to His Word.
Where there is Unity, there God is also. As a parish family, we are called to be united not only to God; but also to each other. When this occurs, God's Kingdom is present here on earth. Jesus showed us how to make this happen. By emptying Himself, He was able to share Himself completely with the people around Him. By following His example, we become so united to God and to each other so that nothing can separate us from the Love of Christ, because we have conquered overwhelmingly through Him who loves us.
~ Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~
In today's Isaiah reading, we learn that God has prepared a place for those who trust in Him in truth. The Lord compares Heaven to a banquet where our thirst will be quenched and our hunger will be satisfied.
In the Gospel reading, we learn about two different kinds of banquets. Jesus is told of the death of John the Baptist, the outcome of King Herod's banquet of a previous night where the Baptist's head was presented to Salome at her request.
But the miraculous banquet that Jesus prepared is one born of the unselfishness of the people who shared their food among themselves as they listened to the words of Jesus. They believed and trusted in Him so completely that after they had eaten their fill and were satisfied, they felt no need to put aside food for their journey home. They knew that Jesus would take care of them. Thus, when Jesus asked what was left over, the disciples told him they had collected enough to fill twelve wicker baskets.
We can easily see that the banquet Jesus provided for the people brought satisfaction to them; whereas, Herod's banquet brought nothing but death. We all know which banquet we would choose. Our satisfaction will come when we not only listen to the Word of God that Jesus gives to us; but when we come to understand and accept it also. We unite ourselves to His Word.
Where there is Unity, there God is also. As a parish family, we are called to be united not only to God; but also to each other. When this occurs, God's Kingdom is present here on earth. Jesus showed us how to make this happen. By emptying Himself, He was able to share Himself completely with the people around Him. By following His example, we become so united to God and to each other so that nothing can separate us from the Love of Christ, because we have conquered overwhelmingly through Him who loves us.
~ Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~
Labels: sundayreflection
posted by mary ann @ Sunday, August 03, 2008
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