主日讀經反思 Sunday Scripture Meditation (09/10/2011)

本主日讀經︰
依撒意亞先知書　25:6-10
聖詠　23[22]:1-3,3-4,5,6
斐理伯書 4:12-14,19-20
瑪竇福音　22:1-14

默想︰

婚宴、慶節及用餐的情景，常在福音以至整部聖經中出現。耶穌生命中的重要事件及教訓，很多都是在餐桌上發生，其中最受矚目的莫過於最後晚餐。耶穌的故事和比喻，像今天的福音，經常談及大家聚在一起吃喝的婚宴和慶節。同歡共慶去分享地上的豐饒產物，是天主的家人聚在天主庭園的一大象徵。可惜，並非人人都接受天父的邀請。

為依撒意亞先知來說，天主聖山上的美酒佳餚，同樣是天主戰勝折磨人類的種種苦難、險阻及邪惡的象徵。天主要親自抹乾所有耐心等待祂的人的眼淚。依撒意亞在神視中，見到縱使貧窮飢餓，也不用哀傷，因為最終會得到天主的安慰。

時下先進國家，享盡由世界各地進口的珍饈百味，醇清美酒；但同時亦存在速食文化。但願我們沒有忘記去欣賞大自然的出產，沒有忘記互相分享，沒有忘記同歡共宴及其包含的象徵性意義。

天主，但願世人都能平均分配地上的產物，但願世上再沒有一個人要捱飢抵餓。


【摘自和平十月號】


Readings (Year A) page 16:
Isaiah 25: 6-10
Psalm 23: 1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
Philippians 4: 12-14, 19-20
Matthew 23: 1-14

Banquets, feasts and ordinary meals feature quite a lot in the gospels, and indeed in the bible as a whole. It's remarkable how many important incidents of Jesus' life and His teaching take place in the context of a meal, most notably of course His last supper. His stories and parables too, like today's gospel, are often related to banquets and celebrations where people eat together. The communal sharing of joy and of the rich good things of the earth make a strong symbol of the family togetherness of God's household and kingdom.

For Isaiah, the feast of rich foods and wines on the mountain of the Lord is also a sign of the Lord's triumph over all the sufferings, dangers and evils that beset God's people, that afflict humanity. Every tear of those who wait patiently for the Lord will be wiped away.

In 'developed' societies today we have such abundance of exotic fruits, foods, wines and good things from around the world, and at the same time a culture of fast food and rushed eating. Have we lost appreciation for the earth's riches that we share, a sense of the symbolism of taking part in a celebration feast? When we pray for our "daily bread", what do we really mean? And how does it happen that the fruits of our earth (and its food) are not shared equally and fairly? But it seems not everybody wants to respond to the Father's invitation to share. So Jesus asks, "Where's our wedding garment?"

Lord, lead us to appreciate Your blessings always and share them with others.

Shalom – Thoughts for Prayer