Today’s Readings – Wednesday of week 1 of Advent - First Reading

Commentary on Isa 25:6-10

Both readings are about the abundance that comes from God. The theme of an eschatological banquet is common in early Jewish and early Christian literature. See Matthew 8:11-12, where Jesus, after healing the centurion’s servant says that "many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven...", and again in Matt 22:1-14 (and Luke 14:16-24), where Jesus tells the parable of the banquet to which those invited made excuses not to come.

As in the Gospel parables, there is a universal tone to the words: "The Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food..." It is not just for God’s people. People from all nations will pour in to join this immense ban … Continue

Yesterday’s Readings – Tuesday of week 1 of Advent - First Reading

Commentary on Isa 11:1-10

We have today a messianic poem describing the principal features of the coming Messiah: he is of Davidic stock; he will be filled with the spirit of the prophets who went before him; he will establish a society reflecting the peace and harmony o … Continue