The first reading today again comes from the Prophet Isaiah. In yesterday’s post what has been, in times past, promised and announced, comes to fruition as the Promise One is depicted as ruling. In place of the kings from the line of David which proved to be faithless and fickle, in defiance of the empires such as Assyria, those verses describe a king in who ushers in a reign of safety and security to which the weary exiles may come streaming in return.
In verses just before our reading starts, Isaiah uses two extremes of weather typical of the Near East to symbolize the difficulties from which God desires to defend us. They are the thunderstorm and the unremitting heat, either of which in their intensity, threatens life. Isaiah’s point is that life is like that, with the mighty and the powerful breathing out destruction on the weaker. But for people of faith, a source of strength is the ability to trust in a King who cares for them, and can be for them a refuge. The mighty of earth may be great, but God is greater.
This is the King for whom the banquet is offered. The subjects come from all over the world (2:2, Monday’s reading) to the mountain of the Lord (described in yesterday’s reading). There they receive the gifts which only God can bestow: the destruction of death and the removal of the sorrow which accompanies it. This is the key to the richness of the feast—it is the food and drink of life.
It is what we celebrated in the Eucharist. In it we remember and honor the redeeming life, death and Resurrection of Jesus. In the Eucharist we receive the “bread of life” and “spiritual drink” (Eucharist Prayer II). In our “Amen” we participate in the “seven baskets full” of today’s gospel.
In the Eucharist we celebrate the banquet Isaiah foresaw, we are anchored against life’s storm, and find refuge in our trust of Christ. The invitation is given, but the question that lingers is not whether you’ll attend, but will you give yourself completely to the celebration?
Image credit: Prophet Isaiah, Mosaic, Right of Lunette, South Wall of Presbytery, Basilica of San Vitale | PD-US | Pexels