“FIRST IMPRESSIONS”

28^th SUNDAY (A) OCTOBER 11, 2026

Isaiah  25:  6-10; Philippians 4: 12-14, 19-20; Matthew 22: 1-1

By: Jude Siciliano, OP

Dear Preachers:

Pre-note: As I write this, I am closer to a homily than I usually am, so I share it with you. I am sure you will notice the difference in style.

Did your mouth water when you heard that first reading from Isaiah?

“On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food…” In case you missed it, there is more. Isaiah wants to be sure we get the point: “Juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.”

I hope you had breakfast before coming to church today.

It is tempting – and mouthwatering – to hear those words. They stir up memories of meals celebrated on special occasions and holidays with family and friends. Isaiah was speaking to a people who knew hunger, suffering, and uncertainty. They were wondering whether God had forgotten them. Had their faith in God been in vain?

Isaiah was making a promise to a suffering and hungry people: despite their condition, God had not forgotten them. God would personally prepare a feast for them. Where does the prophet picture that feast taking place? “On this mountain.” It is a place of safety and security, where God will rescue the people from sadness and misery, from their trials and humiliations. They will no longer be people living under oppression; they will be honored guests.

On that mountain there will be no end to food and drink – and there will be more. Isaiah promises:  On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples.”

In case they did not get the point, the prophet is very clear:

“He will destroy death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from every face.”

Isaiah was making a promise to a people who had not yet seen its fulfillment. Their circumstances had not suddenly changed. Their suffering continued, and, like us, they knew the grief of losing people they loved. Yet, in the midst of their dark and dreary world, Isaiah placed before them a vision of the future.

Could they trust the promise God was making to them? Could they have hope in God despite their present circumstances? Was God a “Promise Keeper”?

That question leads us to ask: Are there signs that even now God is keeping the promise voiced by Isaiah and affirmed by Jesus?

Is there evidence of the God of generosity? The God of joy? The God of abundance? The God of faithfulness? Are there hints that this is who God is – a God who keeps promises?

For me, the answer comes from a personal experience.

A concrete sign of God's presence among us was a woman named Teresa. She came to our Dominican chapel each morning for Eucharist and joined us and her friends there. She was in her eighties and would leave her walker outside the chapel. I used to tease her about her vanity. But she did not leave her smile at the door. Her smile was the first thing you noticed. She was always “put together” – her hair styled, wearing a brightly colored pantsuit and pink shoes.

Teresa knew she was welcome. She had become part of our Dominican family. She made herself at home, and after the Eucharist she would straighten the vestments and put away the liturgical stoles.

Like the mountaintop Isaiah painted for us, Teresa fed us bountifully. With her friend Anna, she would bring us berries, bananas, apples, pears, mixed fruits, jams, and jugs of orange juice for breakfast after Mass.

On special occasions she would provide the whole feast. On a friar's birthday, Teresa would bring in a cake and candles and gather with us afterward in the dining room to sing “Happy Birthday.” Then we would have a feast.

It was too early in the day for the “choice wines” Isaiah described, but it was a mountaintop experience, nevertheless.

Teresa reminded us of our God – a God of abundance who notices our hungers, who draws us out of whatever place of exile we may find ourselves in, and who blesses us with loving and caring friends like Teresa.

It was not just the food she brought us. Teresa's faith fed us as well. She did not give up on God despite her daily physical struggles. Nor did she lose faith after the deaths of her beloved husband, Frank, and her son, Michael. When Michael died, she said, “Parents are supposed to die before their children.”

Her faith was itself a testimony to the God who keeps promises.

In our celebration today, we have this table on this holy mountain. Here we celebrate our God who feeds us with the best food and drink God can provide: the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

This is a feast that keeps our hope alive, just as God's promise kept Teresa's hope alive.b

Today, on a mountain of God's choosing, at a table of plenty spread before us, God renews Isaiah's promise.  God has destroyed the veil that veils all peoples.

God has destroyed death forever.

And so, we come to this table with hope – and with gratitude for every Teresa who has helped us recognize that God's abundant love is already being given to us.

Click here for a link to this Sunday’s readings:

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101126.cfm

QUOTABLE

“Artificial intelligence can be a construction site of history... if technical progress learns to serve human life.”

—Pope Leo XIV       ( Magnifica Humanitas)

 JUSTICE BULLETIN BOARD

Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress.                        

-- Philippians 4:14

While Paul, in this passage, is talking about the sharing of material goods as a kindness, there is another type of kindness that seems to be in short supply in this election year--civility. Respecting life this month means that we must also respect one another in conversation.

To that end, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops began a campaign in 2019 now called, “Civilize It: A Better Kind of Politics.” Bishop Frank J. Dewane, of Venice, FL, emphasizes the importance of “Civilize It”: “Conversation in the public square is all too often filled with personal attacks and words that assume the worst about those with whom we disagree. We are in need of healing in our families, communities, and country. “Civilize It” is a call for Catholics to honor the human dignity of each person they encounter, whether it is online, at the dinner table, or in the pews next to them.”

The USCCB invites you to join the “Civilize It” campaign by taking the pledge below in order to bear witness to a better way to promote civility, love our neighbors, and build a respect-filled community.

I PLEDGE:

Charity --To affirm through my words and actions the dignity of every person, each made in God’s image. Even those with whom I disagree are made in his image. To respectfully listen in order to understand experiences different from my own.

Clarity-- To engage in critical examination to ensure that my perspectives are rooted in truth, that my sources of information are unbiased, and that I do not open myself to manipulation by partisan interests. To form my conscience through prayerful reflection, study of scripture and Church teaching, and guidance from reputable experts. To reflect on my own values and seek, with others, to identify shared values. To be open to the process of dialogue that can require change of perspective—my own and others’—in service to the inviolable dignity of all and the common good.

Creativity-- To be a bridge builder who participates in constructive dialogue based in shared values, a mutual exchange of gifts, and the humility to together seek the good. To see differences in perspective as opportunities for creative tension which can yield solutions for the common good. To work with others in order to identify creative solutions rooted in our shared values.

Barbara Molinari Quinby, MPS, Director

Office of Human Life, Dignity, and Justice Ministries

Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, Raleigh, NC

FAITH BOOK

Mini-reflections on the Sunday scripture readings designed for persons on the run. “Faith Book” is also brief enough to be posted in the Sunday parish bulletins people take home.

From today’s Isaiah reading:

On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples

a feast of rich food and choice wines.

Reflection:

God gives us the richest food and choicest wine at our Eucharist today. What God has promised, God has fulfilled on this “holy mountain.” We are fed well and so we give thanks here. We also have hope that one day all will gather at God’s banquet table.  A feast has been promised us that we can only imagine and wait in hope to receive.

So, we ask ourselves: