[00:00:05] Hello, my name is Sally Moriarty-Flask. Welcome to: From His Word to Our Hearts, my weekly Bible Study podcast. Together we will explore the readings to be proclaimed at the Catholic Mass on Sunday, October 11, 2026, the Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
This week's episode is entitled: Dressed for the Wedding, and in these readings, we are reminded that God has prepared a banquet for us, one that will satisfy all our needs, but that we must be ready to attend whenever he summons us.
As we journey through the readings this week, consider the following:
The parable Jesus presents to the chief priests and elders this week is often misunderstood, especially by modern ears. But Isaiah's words remind us that God's invitation is not to a mere earthly celebration; that the banquet God prepares for us is in his heavenly kingdom, and that the reward God offers is our salvation. So, will we be ready?
[00:01:16] Let's begin in prayer:
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Heavenly Father, we praise you and we thank you for the lessons you teach us And in the Scriptures, even when we struggle to understand them properly. Your Son teaches us the importance of a wedding garment, so help us to keep our wedding garments ready at all times, so that we are prepared to enter your kingdom and take the place prepared for us at your heavenly banquet. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
[00:01:56] Now that we've opened our hearts in prayer, let's listen to what God is telling us in the Scriptures. Our Gospel this week is from Matthew 22:1-14.
“Jesus again in reply spoke to [the chief priests and elders of the people:] in parables, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a marriage feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast; but they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying, “Tell those who are invited, Behold, I have made ready my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves are killed, and everything is ready; come to the marriage feast.” But they made light of it and went off, one to his farm, and another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, “The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the streets, and invite to the marriage feast as many as you find.” And those servants went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment; and he said to him, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?” And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness; where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” For many are called, but few are chosen.’”
[00:04:04] After the end of last week's passage, we learned that Matthew had inserted the Pharisees into the group to whom Jesus had been speaking. And Jesus tells the chief priests, the elders, and the Pharisees that the kingdom will be taken from them if they don't repent and change their ways. In those three verses that we don't hear, we learn that the chief priests, the Pharisees, and the elders - those intelligent, educated men - finally connected the dots… they finally realized that Jesus had been talking about them all along… that his parables had been intended for them. Jesus had been challenging these men, he had been aggravating them, he had been getting under their skin… so much so that, in their anger, they actually tried to arrest him after the conclusion of last week's passage but refrained from doing so because of Jesus' popularity with the crowds. That reaction, however, doesn't deter Jesus. He is still in the temple, he is still speaking to those same intelligent, educated men, and he now presents to them another parable. A version of this parable is also found in Luke's Gospel, although it is a bit shorter and the occasion is just a banquet, not a wedding feast. And speaking of shorter, there is also a shorter and a longer version of this week's Gospel.
[00:05:50] I do understand why those who compiled the Lectionary chose to end the shorter version where they did, and I'll point it out when we get there. But since the most misunderstood portion of this parable occurs in the verses omitted from that shorter section, and since those verses really do need to be properly explained time and again, I really hope every parish uses the longer version of this Gospel. Regardless of what is proclaimed at the Mass you attend this weekend, let's take this opportunity to listen carefully to what Jesus has to say in the whole of this passage…
[00:06:34] “Jesus again in reply spoke to [the chief priests and elders of the people] in parables,”
Meaning that this parable is Jesus' reply to their anger, to their attempt to arrest him. And remember, Matthew now includes the Pharisees in this group.
“saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a marriage feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast;’”
In ancient times, the invitation to a marriage feast was sent out in two stages. The first stage is a simple notification, something that would be comparable to those “save the date” notices that have become so common to us. The second stage involves sending servants to gather the guests and escort them to the feast. And understand, this is no simple afternoon affair, as we would understand a wedding in our times. In biblical times, a wedding feast lasted up to a week, so the servants not only escorted the guests to the feast, but carried their baggage as well. As this parable begins, the first stage - the save the date, if you will - has already been delivered and the king's servants are now being sent to bring the guests, and their baggage, to the feast. And just so there is no confusion… God is the king who issued the invitation; the invited guests are the Chosen People; and the servants are the Prophets.
“but [the guests] would not come.”
Meaning that the invited guests - the Jewish people, the Chosen People - accepted the first invitation, promised - when they were given the date - that they would attend the week-long feast, but then decided - at the last moment - not to attend. And that reminds us of a pattern that repeats itself throughout the Old Testament… the people are unfaithful to the Covenant, or they worship false gods, or they behave unjustly in defiance of the Law, or they fail to worship God properly, or offer sacrifices that are unacceptable to God.
I am not picking on the Chosen People! While that is a pattern that repeats itself throughout the Old Testament, we - as Christians - also have to look at ourselves in the mirror and see a repetitive pattern of sin and repentance.
[00:09:22] “Again [the king] sent other servants,”
Meaning more prophets
“saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, Behold, I have made ready my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves are killed, and everything is ready;”
In other words, God is saying that - just in case you didn't understand the first set of servants I sent to escort you to the feast - let me be clear… everything is ready and it's time for you to show up and do your part. And we will hear these words echoed in our First Reading from Isaiah. Then the servants repeat the invitation…
“come to the marriage feast.”
The king is still inviting his people; he is still encouraging them to come to him, to partake of the feast he has prepared for them. These words are not directed only toward the Jewish religious leaders… they are intended for us as well. God is still inviting his people, he is still inviting us - to repent and come to the feast, to be guests at the heavenly banquet in his kingdom.
“But they made light of it and went off, one to his farm, another to his business,”
The invited guests have decided they're just not interested, that their personal concerns are more important than the marriage feast. Or to put it another way, earthly concerns are more important than being in the kingdom of heaven. This message wasn't intended just for the chief priests and the elders and the Pharisees… it's intended for us as well! We don't always put God first, we don't always put the kingdom first, we should… we just don't!
“while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them.”
Those words echo what we heard in the Parable of the Wicked Tenants last week and, if you remember, I said then that the Prophets were often treated quite poorly. At best, they were simply ignored or mocked. At worst, they were beaten, tortured, stoned, and even killed.
The king was angry,”
Rightly so!
“and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.”
The king's retaliation may seem a bit extreme to us, but it is exactly the type of reaction that would have been expected in an honor/shame society.
[00:12:07] “Then [the king] said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy.’”
Those who reject the kingdom are not worthy of the kingdom. That is a warning for all of us!
“Go therefore to the streets, and invite to the marriage feast as many as you find.”
Meaning that the Chosen People are no longer the only guests invited to the feast. God invites all to the kingdom… Jews and Gentiles.
“And those servants went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good;”
Both sinners AND saints, those who are righteous AND those who stumble.
“so the wedding hall was filled with guests.”
[00:13:00] That is where the shorter version of this Gospel ends. I do understand why it stops with God inviting all into the kingdom, but there's so much more to be learned.
“when the king came in to look at the guests,”
The king, God - our heavenly Father - arrives to act as host at the banquet in his kingdom… so, of course, he will look around to see who is present. We're usually okay with everything up to this point, but this next part usually gets our hackles up.
“[the king] saw there a man who had no wedding garment; and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’”
That is where we get all defensive… because we think the king's servants went out and grabbed - at random - every poor schmuck they could find, so how can the king expect everyone to be dressed for the wedding, wearing their fanciest clothing?
[00:14:05] But this parable isn't about an earthly king being hypercritical of the inappropriate attire of one last minute attendee who was yanked off the street and forced to attend a wedding to which he wasn't even invited!
It's not about clothing at all! In fact, we have been given a clue there that should stop us in our mental tracks.
[00:14:31] The king addresses this person as: Friend… he is approaching this unprepared guest with an attitude of kindness. Jesus will do the same in the Garden of Gethsemane, right before his arrest… Jesus will address Judas as friend - offering Judas one final chance to change his mind, one last opportunity to refrain from betraying Jesus. And we have to remember that this king is God… and the wedding garment he's expecting to see is not a tuxedo or a ball gown - it is our righteous deeds, it is our repentance and humility, it is our works of mercy, it's our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, it's all the good we have done throughout our lives. And that is the wedding garment in which each of us should be clothed every single day.
“And he was speechless.”
[00:15:44] This isn't about the king being unreasonable, it's not about God being unfair, this is about judgment and this man has nothing to say in his own defense. He had a lifetime to accumulate righteous deeds, a lifetime to repent, a lifetime to do good, but he squandered every second of it. This whole scenario isn't about God being unfair, it's about us being unrepentant, unwilling to change, unfaithful, reluctant to follow Jesus as his disciples, or even listen to the words Jesus has to say to us. And for this man, unfortunately, time's up.
“Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness;’”
The place outside the kingdom of heaven, a place where the light of God cannot be seen, a place of eternal separation from God.
“where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
[00:16:58] We hear those words time and again to describe the human reaction to eternal punishment.
“For many are called, but few are chosen.”
That reminds each one of us that we should always be ready, clothed with our wedding garments of good deeds, faithfulness, repentance, and humility. Jesus WILL say in Matthew 25, that no one knows the day or the hour when the Son of Man will come to judge us. So, when we meet Jesus at the end of our lives… what garment will we be wearing?
Because that's up to us! We have free will, we can reject Jesus, we can reject God's grace. We may not like the results, but those choices are ours to make. Considering that the banquet God prepares for us is in his heavenly kingdom, considering that God is offering us eternal salvation in his presence… we have to ask ourselves honestly - after a lifetime, however long or short that may be - will we be ready?
[00:18:17] That takes us to our First Reading, which is from Isaiah 25: 6-10a.
[00:18:26] “On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of fat things, a feast of choice wines-of fat things full of marrow, of choice wines well refined. And he will destroy on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death for ever, and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth; for the LORD has spoken. It will be said on that day, ‘Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.’ For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain.”
[00:19:26] Like last week, this week's passage is from 1st Isaiah (which is chapters 1 to 39). Isaiah's writings contain evocative, eloquent, expressive poetry which has prompted some biblical scholars to dub him the Shakespeare of the Prophets. Isaiah was a husband, father, nobleman, and advisor to two Kings - Ahaz and Hezekiah. This particular passage comes from a section of 1st Isaiah known as the Apocalypse of Isaiah (which is chapters 24-27) and it describes the banquet on Mount Zion to which all the peoples of the world are invited. It echoes the sentiment first expressed in Isaiah 2, where the prophet experienced a vision of Jerusalem's future glory in which the temple mount serves as a magnet, drawing the entire world to God. So, let's listen to what Isaiah has to say this week…
“On this mountain”
Meaning Mount Zion… remember, mountains are places of mystery and they draw humanity into that mystery… they capture our imagination… they are the place where heaven touches earth, therefore mountains serve as places where man can encounter God.
“the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples a feast”
This is Isaiah's description of the Messianic banquet where all peoples are welcome. And what will be served at this banquet?
“a feast of fat things, a feast of choice wines”
Fat things indicate well-fed animals, choice wines mean well-aged wines. But then Isaiah qualifies his words…
“fat things full of marrow, choice wine well refined.”
[00:21:41] By full of marrow, Isaiah means that these are the finest delicacies. And by well refined he means that the wines are filtered to remove any sediment.
“And he will destroy on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations.”
The covering that Isaiah says is cast over all peoples represents a burial shroud, symbolizing the physical death which is the fate of every human being. While the veil spread over all nations is a mourning veil, representing the sadness and grief that accompany death.
[00:22:26] “He will swallow up death for ever,”
This line reverses Isaiah 5, where death manifests its power by devouring the living. Here God swallows up death so that it no longer holds any power over God's people.
“and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces,”
Meaning that God will banish grief, that he will care tenderly for every person, wiping their tears and eliminating the possibility of future sadness.
“and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth; for the LORD has spoken.”
By the reproach of his people - Isaiah means the judgment for sin, and that such judgment will no longer be required because God declares that all are destined for salvation. That's what he means by: “for the LORD has spoken.”
“It will be said on that day, ‘Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.’”
[00:23:44] All humanity has awaited God and his salvation, and now that it has been made manifest, they rejoice that God has fulfilled his promises.
“For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain.”
By the hand of the Lord, Isaiah means God's power… God's power will rest on Mount Zion.
[00:24:12] In Isaiah 2, we are told that God's mountain - Mount Zion - will become the highest mountain, and that all people will stream toward it. In this passage, Mount Zion becomes the place where God spreads his divine banquet, the same mountain upon which stands the new and heavenly Jerusalem.
[00:24:40] As Catholic Christians, we experience a foretaste of this heavenly banquet in the Mass where God gathers us to himself, speaks to us in the Scriptures, and feeds us with the Body and Blood of his own Divine Son.
[00:25:07] That is a banquet for which we should be properly prepared each time we walk into Church, a banquet that prefigures the heavenly banquet for which we must always be ready whenever God summons us to himself. So, will we be ready?
[00:25:33] That takes us to our Responsorial Psalm, which is Psalm 23, and the refrain is:
“I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”
And here are the verses:
“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want; he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.”
“He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.”
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”
[00:26:32] This Psalm is an Individual Prayer of Confidence attributed directly to David. It demonstrates that God cares not only for the entire house of Israel, but for each individual within the house of Israel - every citizen of the nation of Israel.
[00:26:54] It depicts God as a shepherd who cares for his people AND the host of a banquet that provides refreshment, comfort, and peace.
[00:27:07] So, it's quite evident why this Psalm was chosen to accompany this week's readings. In the final stanza, David declares that he will no longer be pursued by his enemies, but rather that God's goodness and mercy will be his constant companions.
[00:27:26] And his determination to dwell in the house of the Lord demonstrates David's devotion to God and his desire to live forever in God's presence.
[00:27:40] That takes us to our Second Reading, which is from Philippians 4: 12-14, 19-20.
“[Brothers and sisters:] I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want. I can do all things in him who strengthens me. Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father, be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
[00:28:30] This is the fourth and final passage we will hear from Philippians this fall. Actually, it's the final passage we'll hear from Philippians for the remainder of this Liturgical Year. And remember, Philippians is essentially a joyous thank you note from Paul to the Christian community in Philippi and his expression of encouragement offered to people he considers to be his very dear friends. This passage comes very close to the conclusion of Philippians… there are only three verses left after the end of this passage, so this is Paul's last chance to express his final encouragement and well wishes.
[00:29:19] So, let's listen as Paul winds down his letter to the Philippians…
“[Brothers and sisters:] I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound;”
The definitions of the words abased and abound have shifted somewhat. Paul used them to contrast times when he was forced to live in modest conditions with instances when he was fortunate to live in more lavish circumstances.
[00:29:53] The modern definition of ABASED is more pejorative; its primary meaning now is to be demeaned or belittled. While the word ABOUND typically describes things that exist in large numbers and is rarely used to describe a person. Understanding the modern definitions of those words gives us a sense of Paul's meaning, but the NAB translation is simply easier to understand.
[00:30:24] It says: “I know how to live in humble circumstances and how to live in abundance.” But it's important that we understand the context in which Paul makes that statement. Just before this passage began, he said: “I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content” which then allows him to use those two extremes to illustrate his point.
[00:30:57] Paul then continues…
“in any and all circumstances I have learned that the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want.”
[00:31:11] The secret Paul refers to is GRATITUDE! Because experience is always the best teacher… and when people learn how to make the most out of very few resources AND how to appreciate abundance without relying on it, that teaches us how to be thankful for whatever we have.
[00:31:40] Then Paul puts everything in its proper perspective, saying…
“I can do all things in him who strengthens me.”
And of course, Paul is talking about Jesus… the Risen Jesus, the very person Paul encountered on the road to Damascus, the one who changed the trajectory of Paul's life and made him the Apostle to the Gentiles.
[00:32:10] Through that Jesus, Paul says he can now endure anything. Jesus gives Paul the strength to be thankful for material blessings when they are present, and to rely on spiritual blessings which are to be found in every situation, even the most difficult of situations… although sometimes finding blessings in difficult situations requires a bit more searching on our part.
[00:32:47] But what Paul means is that he no longer relies on his own strength or stamina, but on Jesus who empowers Paul to put forth whatever physical, mental, or spiritual effort is necessary. Those words should speak to us as well and remind us that when we think we can't go any further, God is still there with us and will always help us.
[00:33:22] “Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.”
[00:33:26] Remember, the Philippian community had always supported Paul with both prayers and monetary assistance.
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
[00:33:46] That's another one of those instances where the wording in the RSV translation is a bit awkward. The NAB translates that as: My God will fully supply whatever you need in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
And please don't misunderstand Paul's words - thinking that he was concerned in any way about the economic prosperity of the Philippian community, so he asked God to take care of all their needs. Paul is talking about spiritual needs. He knew from his own experience that the Philippians were wealthy. That's why they were always so generous to him.
The city of Philippi was a major transportation and trading hub in Biblical times, despite being almost eight miles from the nearest port city. But that's because it was located on a Roman military road that later became the Via Egnatia (the Egnatian Way), a road connected to the Via Appia (the Appian Way), which was one of the most important - if not THE most important - road ever constructed by the Roman Empire.
Paul's prayer for the Philippian community is that God's grace will flow abundantly upon them and that the goodness God will shower upon them will surpass their own merely human affluence.
[00:35:28] Then Paul concludes his prayer…
“To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
That is wording often used by Paul to conclude a prayer - we hear similar phrasing in Ephesians 5 and Romans 6.
Paul's reminder to be grateful is one we need to hear more often… gratitude seems to be in woefully short supply anymore. So, let's offer God our gratitude, our thanks… every day.
Jesus' Parable is a reminder that none of us knows how much time remains before we will be summoned to judgment, so we shouldn't squander a second of it. We should be working on the condition of our wedding garments… every day!
Because Isaiah reminds us that God's invitation is not to an earthly celebration. God is offering us eternal salvation in his presence and a place at the banquet in his heavenly kingdom.
[00:36:43] So, when God summons us, will we be ready?
[00:36:48] If you would like to reach out to me with questions or comments, send me an email at
[email protected]
Thank you for spending this time with me and until next we meet, may God shower his blessings upon you like a soft and gentle rain, and may he hold you safe and secure in the palm of his hand.
From His Word to Our Hearts is produced by SFS Audio Solutions.
The content of the show was assembled by me, Sally Moriarty-Flask.
Our music was composed by Jimmy Flask and is used with the permission of the composer. All rights reserved.
Information regarding references used in preparing the exegesis for this podcast is available upon request.
Thank you for listening and God Bless.
