Homily – Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

Catholics love a good party.  Historically, for many Australian Catholics, the church was the social scene with frequent parish events and dances celebrated annually.  On a smaller scale, many Catholics also love to host meals, especially dinner.  I hear in this part of town, many love their wine and many have quite the collection!

Our prophet Isaiah possibly foretold Catholics in the 21st century suggesting the Lord will prepare for all peoples “a banquet of rich food, a banquet of fine wines, of food rich and juicy”.  More poignantly the Gospel also reflects this rich banquet pointing to the wedding banquet of the kingdom of heaven, where I’m pretty sure there is food and wine aplenty.

The foretelling of Jesus in the Gospel and prophet Isaiah of a heavenly banquet is actually realised each week.  Each time we hear the words, “blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb,” the Mass is also pointing to a future event where we will eventually participate in the ultimate wedding banquet between Christ and his church celebrating that eternal union.

Although today’s scriptures refer to a past event and the words at Mass point to the future, our liturgical celebration of Mass is unique because we get to participate in that taste of heaven now.  Mass, and ultimately the reception of Holy Eucharist, is more than a social gathering.  Right here at the table of the Lord in the celebration of the Eucharist, we are given a glimpse of heaven, momentarily experiencing heaven and earth meeting each other.  It is quite the party, and all of God’s creation are invited to celebrate!

In this celebration, we will experience the whole of human life.  The lows of the crucifixion up to the highs of the resurrection.  By the end of Mass, some of us might leave feeling as if we’ve just attended another Sunday Mass.  Though I hope, each of us will be able to encounter God in the Mass.

We are challenged today at the end of the Gospel to consider our invitation to the ultimate banquet.  Each week we are privileged to be invited to Holy Mass.  Given we celebrate this remarkable event of the paschal mystery, of experiencing heaven and coming together, may we also consider inviting others to the supper of the Lamb.

By Fr Ian Vergel