I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. — Psalm 23:6

Mass readings: Isaiah 25:6-10 / Philippians 4:12-14,19-20 / Matthew 22:1-14 or 22:1-10 

Bologna, Water Sufficient 

Some advice about today first reading: Don’t read or listen to it on an empty stomach. Isaiah’s description of the offerings on God’s banquet table can nearly make you salivate: “A feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines” (Is 25:1). You can almost smell the rib eye steak; loaded baked potato; and rare, vintage merlot. But why food to describe God’s loving care? Why not, “luminous, sparkling emeralds and exquisite, shimmering diamonds”? 

Precious jewels merely adorn us. We’re the same person with or without them. But food and drink bring nourishment. Friendship, sharing, community, love, and celebration are essential to a banquet. If we had a superabundance of those, we could make a banquet out of bologna sandwiches and tap water. 

Prayer: O God, thank You for inviting us to Your banquet.