Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

As we approach the end of the liturgical year, the Sunday readings begin to touch on end-time themes.  Though they are often closely associated, end-time is not the same as end-of-time, a concept popular with evangelical groups today.  In the Bible, the end-time is the time of fulfillment of God’s promises.  Ancient Israel thought of this time as the messianic age.

Jesus spoke of this age as the reign of God.  It might find its completion at the end of time, but the coming of Jesus into history inaugurated that age in the here and now.  We Christians believe that we now live in the reign of God, in the messianic age, in the end-time.

What can compare with sharing a fabulous meal of scrumptious food and delightful drink, surrounded by those we love?  Is it any wonder that this is the way we celebrate birthdays, weddings and anniversaries?  Is it any wonder that this would be a favorite metaphor for characterizing the end-time?

This is precisely what the readings do today.  Isaiah’s beautiful image of God throwing a banquet for people and wiping away every tear, along with the cadences of Psalm 23 – “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want” and “only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life.”

All of us can thank God for the invitation to celebrate the sacraments of anointing and eucharist, which is an anticipation of the end-time feasting with God and the saints.  The baptismal garment becomes an apron of love.  We have been given no less than heaven.  Oh, what a gift!

Paul A. Magnano

Pastor