Resources, Prayers, Games, and Lesson Plans
More Thoughts and Reflection Questions
Quotes and Social Media Graphics
Mass Readings for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
- First Reading – Isaiah 25:6-10a: The LORD promises to provide abundantly for all and remove obstacles that blind nations. He will end death, comfort his people, and eradicate their disgrace. All will recognize and rejoice in God's salvation.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 23: The LORD, as a caring shepherd, provides and protects. He leads in safety, offers comfort in danger, and honors in the presence of enemies. With the LORD's enduring kindness, one finds eternal refuge in His house.
- Second Reading – Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20: Paul expresses contentment in all situations, whether in scarcity or plenty. Through Christ's strength, he remains resilient. He acknowledges the support of others and assures God's provision for their needs, praising God eternally.
- Gospel - Matthew 22:1-14 or 22:1-10: Jesus shares a parable about a king who hosts a wedding feast for his son. Initially, invited guests refuse the invitation. After facing consequences, the king invites all, but emphasizes the importance of being appropriately prepared. Few truly qualify.
The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.
Matthew 22:8-9
Themes for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
The readings for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A tell of the abundance of the Kingdom of God. In the first reading we hear of the wonders of the Mountain of the Lord. The psalm tells of how God will care for us as a shepherd cares for his sheep. The second reading speaks of how God provides for us in abundance. And in the gospel Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a lavish wedding banquet.
- Kingdom as a Feast: The parable describes the Kingdom of Heaven as a wedding banquet thrown by a king. This theme visualizes the divine realm as a celebratory and communal event.
- Invitation Rejected: Initially invited guests refuse the call, illustrating how some might reject or ignore divine invitations. This reflects the theme of human indifference or hostility to divine outreach.
- Open Invitation: The king extends the invitation to everyone, both good and bad. This emphasizes God's inclusivity and the universal nature of the divine call.
- Unprepared Guest: A guest without a wedding robe faces consequences, suggesting that while the invitation is open, certain preparations or transformations are expected for full participation.
See the Homilies and Reflections section and the More Thoughts section for further expansion on these readings and some reflection questions for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A.
Resources for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
Party Planning in Paradise – A Lesson on the Parable of the Wedding Feast
This lesson plan encourages thoughtful consideration of how we approach celebrations and gatherings, especially from a faith perspective. It draws parallels with the parable of the wedding feast. In both contexts, there is a focus on preparation and the significance of the event. Just as the lesson prompts us to reflect on our party planning choices, the parable highlights the importance of being prepared to receive the invitation to the heavenly banquet. It underscores the idea that our spiritual readiness and the way we approach such gatherings have deeper implications, echoing the themes of preparedness and intentionality.
Make a Gratitude List Every Day and Pray with It
In Matthew 22:1-14, we find a parable where Jesus tells the story of a king who throws a wedding feast for his son. In this parable, some guests are invited but refuse to attend, showing ingratitude. The king then invites others to fill the seats. This parable highlights the concept of gratitude and the consequences of not appreciating an invitation or blessings. Counting your blessings and being thankful encourages us to appreciate the invitations and opportunities we receive in life, as gratitude is a fundamental aspect of faith and humility.
Start a Prayer Journal
See some practical advice on how to begin journaling your prayers as a means of reflection and spiritual growth. We can draw a connection between the act of journaling prayers and the parable of the wedding feast in the gospel for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A. Just as journaling encourages us to be intentional and thoughtful in our prayers, the parable emphasizes the importance of being prepared and dressed appropriately for the wedding banquet. Both practices call for a deliberate and focused approach to one's faith, emphasizing the need for sincerity and commitment in our spiritual journey.
Invitation Relay
The gospel for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, Matthew 22:1-14 describes the parable of the wedding banquet, where many invited guests declined their invitations. This parable illustrates the importance of accepting God's invitation to the kingdom and responding appropriately. The story suggests that while many are invited to experience God's love, not all will accept. It also emphasizes the importance of being prepared and responding in the right manner. The "invitation relay" concept can be likened to the passing on of faith and the call to be receptive. Just as relay runners must be ready to receive the baton, so too must individuals be prepared to accept God's invitation and pass on their faith to others.
Resources for the Gospel of Matthew
Matthew's Gospel often centers on Jesus' teachings and his emphasis on the Kingdom of Heaven. The parable in Matthew 22:1-14, where many are invited to a banquet but not all are deemed suitable, mirrors a recurring theme: being called versus being chosen. Within Matthew's Gospel, the challenge is not just to hear Jesus’ teachings but to internalize and live by them. Just as guests were expected to wear proper attire to the banquet, so too are followers of Christ expected to "wear" their faith authentically. This call to genuine discipleship resonates throughout the Gospel of Matthew.
Homilies and Reflections for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
Navigating Life's Milk and Honey (Jeff Cavins)
Garment of Righteousness (Brant Pitre)
The Parable of the Wedding Banquet (Bishop Robert Barron)
On the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, Jeff Cavins discusses the concept of "the land of milk and honey" mentioned in the Bible. This metaphor represents two lifestyles: one easy and prosperous (honey) in the northwest part of the land, and the other challenging and unpredictable (milk) in the southeast. While honey symbolizes abundance and ease, milk represents difficulty and unpredictability. Regardless of the conditions, the Israelites are called to trust in the Lord. Similarly, everyone experiences good times and hardships in life, but with faith and trust in God, any challenge can be overcome.
Brant Pitre discusses the Parable of the Wedding Banquet from the gospel for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A. He highlights the importance of the wedding garment. He relates the garment to righteousness and emphasizes the need for living a righteous life to be chosen for the eternal kingdom, drawing connections to various Biblical references.
The Parable of the Wedding Banquet
Bishop Robert Barron examines the perplexing Parable of the Wedding Feast from Matthew's Gospel for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A. He sheds light on the seemingly exaggerated reactions of the king, emphasizing the story's intent to jolt its audience into recognizing the magnitude of the divine invitation they receive. It's underscored that while God's grace is freely given, there's an expectation for believers to develop and live a spiritually and morally aligned life, much like wearing the right garment to the divine feast. The narrative's exaggerated elements are designed to stress the dire spiritual consequences of rejecting or not honoring this divine call.
Dressing for the Feast
Title: The Feast of Salvation
Scott Hahn interprets the Gospel for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A as a clear representation of salvation history. He explains how God, depicted as a king, invites the Israelites to the feast of salvation, using His prophets as messengers. Due to their refusal and mistreatment of these prophets, they face consequences. Jesus now sends apostles, inviting everyone, both good and bad, to God's kingdom, symbolizing the Church. This inclusiveness fulfills Isaiah's prophecy where barriers between nations and the covenants of Israel are eradicated. Through Baptism and the Eucharist, we participate in this feast. However, Hahn reminds us to live worthily, ensuring we're clothed in righteousness for the heavenly banquet.
Isaiah and God’s Holy Mountain
In this homily for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, Bishop Robert Barron delves into the significance of God's holy mountain, Mt. Zion, as mentioned in the book of Isaiah. He highlights the temple's role in bringing Israel together for worship, drawing parallels between the physical Mt. Zion and a mystical version representing complete divine communion. He emphasizes the power of the Mass as a journey up this holy mountain, where God meets, gathers, and nourishes believers, fostering unity and peace. The Eucharist not only prepares believers for their eventual heavenly union but also brings the divine promises of Isaiah into the present experience of the Mass.
More Thoughts for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
Enduring Hope in Modern Struggles
The first reading for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, Isaiah 25:6-10a, paints a vivid picture of God's benevolence and commitment to His people. The prophet Isaiah speaks of a time when God will prepare a feast for all people, wipe away tears, and remove the disgrace of His people from the earth. This vision is not just about a distant future but serves as a reminder of God's continuous promise of care and salvation.
Today, many face challenges that make them question their worth or their place in the world. Economic hardships, personal struggles, societal divisions – they all mirror the despair and disgrace felt by Isaiah's contemporaries. Yet, Isaiah's words remain relevant, assuring us that even in the midst of adversity, God's love and provision are steadfast.
Applying this message to modern life, it's a call for hope and resilience. It encourages us to look beyond immediate struggles and recognize the bigger picture of divine promise. Furthermore, in a world where instant gratification is often sought, Isaiah reminds us of the virtue of patience and the value of long-term blessings. Our role is to trust, persevere, and remain faithful, knowing that God's banquet awaits those who endure.
Preparedness in Divine Invitation
In the parable from Matthew 22:1-14, the gospel for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, the significance of the wedding banquet is evident. Jesus uses it as a medium to shed light on our relationship with God. The initial rejection by the invited guests draws parallels with how the Jewish community treated God's messages and messengers. This neglect to attend the feast speaks volumes about missed opportunities and neglecting divine calls.
The invitation's extension to everyone, irrespective of their background or deeds, demonstrates God's inclusive nature. It highlights the idea that salvation and God's love are available to all. However, there's an underlying message. Simply showing up isn't enough. One must also come prepared, spiritually and mentally, to partake in the divine feast.
The guest without the wedding attire serves as a cautionary tale. While the invitation is open to all, it's crucial to be prepared and sincere in our approach. This can be interpreted as the need for genuine faith and commitment to God. Just as attending a wedding requires appropriate attire, embracing God's love requires genuine devotion and preparedness.
God's Constant Call to Divine Feasts
In the readings for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, we find striking parallels that delve deep into God's graciousness and the nature of divine invitation. Isaiah speaks of a grand feast prepared by the Lord, one that promises sustenance and joy, a removal of sorrow and a lifting of burdens. Matthew, on the other hand, offers the parable of the wedding banquet, where a king invites guests to celebrate his son's wedding. The interconnectedness between these passages reflects the continuity of God's love and outreach throughout the scriptures.
The rejection by the initially invited guests in Matthew's parable can be seen as a mirror to those in Isaiah's time and even our own, who often overlook or dismiss God's offerings due to distractions or worldly concerns. The feast in Isaiah represents the promise of salvation and eternal joy, yet many miss out on this divine opportunity. Similarly, in Matthew, the king's invitation, representing God's call, is ignored or treated with disdain, highlighting human tendencies to neglect spiritual wealth for fleeting worldly gains.
Drawing these passages together, it's evident that God's benevolent invitation remains constant, spanning across time and testament. The challenge posed to us, both as individuals and as a collective, is to recognize, accept, and prepare for these divine moments. Whether it's the grandeur of Isaiah's feast or the solemnity of the wedding banquet in Matthew, both underscore the importance of being spiritually ready and receptive to God's eternal call.
Reflection Questions for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
- What do you do to be prepared to respond to God's daily invitations?
- How much effort do you put into my spiritual development compared to other aspects of life?
- Do you ever resent that God invites everyone, the good and the bad, to his table?
- In the context of Isaiah's vision, how do you perceive God's promise of care and salvation in your own life?
- Given today's challenges, how can you find assurance in Isaiah's words of God's steadfast love?
- How does the virtue of patience, as mentioned in Isaiah, resonate with you in today's era of instant gratification?
- Drawing from the parable in Matthew, what do you think is the significance of being 'prepared' when responding to God's call?
- How do you interpret the cautionary tale of the guest without the wedding attire in your own spiritual journey?
- Observing the interconnectedness between Isaiah and Matthew's readings, how do you think human tendencies have evolved or remained constant in acknowledging God's offerings?
Quotes and Social Media Graphics for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
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