1ST READING
Good things await those who trust in the Lord and follow His ways. However, the blessings may not be in this life. We may have to wait for eternal life to receive the fullness of our reward. Sometimes the blessings can begin in this life, but we should not count on this happening. Some of us will be called to suffer for the sake of others; some to intercession, penance and fasting. Let us surrender our lives to God’s will and trust that He knows what is best for us.
Isaiah 25:6-10
6 On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines. 7 On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations; 8 he will destroy death forever. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces; the reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the Lord has spoken. 9 On that day it will be said: “Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the Lord for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!” 10 For the hand of the Lord will rest on this mountain.
P S A L M
Psalm 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6
R: I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; 3 he refreshes my soul. (R) He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage. (R) 5 You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (R) 6 Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come. (R)
2ND READING
Paul knows the truth of God’s blessings. He also knows the path of suffering. Let us not try to manipulate the will of God one way or another, but trust that He knows what is best for us, do our best to accept His will, and live it as best as we can. This is what God asks of us. St. Teresa of Avila, whose feast we celebrate today, used to say that it is our desire — to know God and be with Him — that is the most important aspect of the Christian life.
Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20
12 Brothers and sisters: I know how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. 13 I can do all things in him who strengthens me. 14 Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress. 19 My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father, glory forever and ever. Amen.
GOSPEL
When God calls, we know it must be important and we should not delay in following His will. He always wants the best for us, so we should never be afraid to heed His call. Yet so many people struggle with the idea of doing God’s will above their own.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
May the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, so that we may know what is the hope that belongs to our call.
Matthew 22:1-14
1 Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and elders of the people in parables, saying, 2 “The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. 3 He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. 4 A second time he sent other servants, saying, “Tell those invited: ‘Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast.’ ” 5 Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. 6 The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. 7 The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. 9 Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.’ 10 The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests. 11 But when the king came in to meet the guests he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. 12 The King said to him, ‘My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?’ But he was reduced to silence. 13 Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’ 14 Many are invited, but few are chosen.”
Good things await those who trust in the Lord and follow His ways. However, the blessings may not be in this life. We may have to wait for eternal life to receive the fullness of our reward. Sometimes the blessings can begin in this life, but we should not count on this happening. Some of us will be called to suffer for the sake of others; some to intercession, penance and fasting. Let us surrender our lives to God’s will and trust that He knows what is best for us.
Isaiah 25:6-10
6 On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines. 7 On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations; 8 he will destroy death forever. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces; the reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the Lord has spoken. 9 On that day it will be said: “Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the Lord for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!” 10 For the hand of the Lord will rest on this mountain.
P S A L M
Psalm 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6
R: I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; 3 he refreshes my soul. (R) He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage. (R) 5 You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (R) 6 Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come. (R)
2ND READING
Paul knows the truth of God’s blessings. He also knows the path of suffering. Let us not try to manipulate the will of God one way or another, but trust that He knows what is best for us, do our best to accept His will, and live it as best as we can. This is what God asks of us. St. Teresa of Avila, whose feast we celebrate today, used to say that it is our desire — to know God and be with Him — that is the most important aspect of the Christian life.
Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20
12 Brothers and sisters: I know how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. 13 I can do all things in him who strengthens me. 14 Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress. 19 My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father, glory forever and ever. Amen.
GOSPEL
When God calls, we know it must be important and we should not delay in following His will. He always wants the best for us, so we should never be afraid to heed His call. Yet so many people struggle with the idea of doing God’s will above their own.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
May the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, so that we may know what is the hope that belongs to our call.
Matthew 22:1-14
1 Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and elders of the people in parables, saying, 2 “The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. 3 He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. 4 A second time he sent other servants, saying, “Tell those invited: ‘Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast.’ ” 5 Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. 6 The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. 7 The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. 9 Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.’ 10 The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests. 11 But when the king came in to meet the guests he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. 12 The King said to him, ‘My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?’ But he was reduced to silence. 13 Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’ 14 Many are invited, but few are chosen.”
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