Understanding the Word

By Dianne Bergant, C.S.A.

Isaiah depicts a scene of permanent victory, abundant feasting, and life without end. He sees a high mountain on which a sumptuous feast, probably the  banquet of the end of time, is prepared for all people. It is also on this mountain  that God destroys death. Once death is destroyed there will be no cause for  tears. Instead, there will be rejoicing. On that day of fulfillment, the people will  acclaim the God to whom they looked for salvation. The hand of God, the symbol  of God’s power, will rest on this holy mountain, bringing to fulfillment all of God’s  promises and blessings. 

Paul is not speaking here of the ordinary trials and sufferings that invade every  life. He is talking about the tribulations that will engulf all people at the onslaught  of the end time, the suffering known as the “birth pangs of the Messiah.” For Paul,  the burdens of his ministry form the avenue by which he enters this time of tribulation. He does not make light of the help that the Philippians must have offered him.  Acting this way, they actually participated in his ministerial endeavors, and he is  grateful. For this reason, they too are promised a share in the glory of the new age. 

Once again Jesus is in confrontation with the leaders of the people. The apocalyptic character of the parable he tells is unmistakable. The metaphor of a banquet  to describe the delights of the age of fulfillment can be traced as far back as the  ancient prophets (see Isaiah 25:6). An interim exists between the initial invitation  to the wedding banquet and the announcement that the banquet is ready. This  interim resembles the period of time between the invitation to participate in the  age of fulfillment and one’s entrance into that age. The point of the parable is clear:  enjoyment of the time of fulfillment is open to all, but guaranteed to none. 

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