Twentieth Sunday - Pentecost • Year A

Historical Collect

O Lord, sustain your Church with your perpetual mercy. Without you, in our weakness we will surely fail. Therefore, keep us ever by your help from all things hurtful, and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Gelasian Sacramentary, 7th Century)

Thematic Collect

Bountiful God, you set a table before us and nourish us with the bread of life, your Son, Jesus. Send us out with joyful thanksgiving to share this bread of life with others. Keep us in your grace until we feast at last at the banquet that is to come; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

The Common Thread

The Lord makes for us a feast of the richest food and the best wine. And through this holy meal, he puts death to death. Therefore, we cannot want for anything. He gives us food and drink, not only for the body but for the spirit. He spreads this table in the presence of our great enemies: sin, death, and the devil. They cannot prevail, so we will fear no evil, nor be anxious for any good thing. An incomprehensible peace and contentment overflows in the life of those whose Shepherd is the Lord. Yet this is not all. He is also preparing a great wedding feast (Rev 19:9; 21:1-4). Those who believe in Christ, who are clothed in the righteousness of the Lamb of God, are invited to feast forever in his presence.  

First Reading • Isaiah 25:6-9

See how long the people of God have awaited the great feast? This idea of a feast implies a lack of want forever. Death will be no more. Sadness will be turned to joy. Disgrace will be covered in his grace.

Wait for him. He will do it because he is faithful to his promise (1Thess. 5:24). “Be glad and rejoice in his salvation” (Isa 25:9).

Psalm • Psalm 23:1-6

What need do we have that our Shepherd does not provide? We do not want—particularly when he is what we want. When we draw near his voice (John 10:27), we are at peace. Even when we brush with death, the Shepherd leads us through that dark valley. Indeed, it is finally in that very valley where he ushers us in to heaven to dwell with him forever.

Second Reading • Philippians 4:4-13

The Lord is in the vicinity (Phil 4:4). What a comforting thought. It seems like I have always read that verse as meaning his return is imminent. That too. But it is reassuring to remember he is near; it gives me his peace. I do not really understand how (Phil 4:7) but it does.

The result is that I too, like Paul, may be content in whatever situation comes my way. I am buried in work as I write these thoughts on the Reading, so having Christ’s peace is a necessity. All the work I need to accomplish will be done through him who strengthens me. I am content.

Gospel • Matthew 22:1-14

The King has been calling people to his eternal feast for ages—millennia. One day, when days are no more, the wedding hall will be filled with guests. Heaven will be filled with an uncountable number of those called and chosen. (Rev 7:9) They will sit down to the great feast, gladdened, content, and at peace, for they are in the presence of the King and Lord of heaven.

“Work out your own salvation” (Phil 2:12); keep the faith until then end, even as he keeps you (1 Cor 1:8).