Sunday between 9 and 15 October    

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

First Reading - Isaiah 25.6-9

A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah. On this holy mountain, the Lord God will prepare for all people a feast of rich food and fine wine. The Lord will take away the cloud of darkness that hangs over peoples and nations. The Lord God will bring to an end the humiliation of the people, will wipe away the tears from all faces, and will destroy the power of death for ever. And the people will say, ‘This is the day of the Lord our God. Let us rejoice, for we trusted in God, and the day of our salvation has come.’ This is the word of the Lord.

Second Reading - Philippians 4.4-9

A reading from the letter of Paul to the Philippians. Rejoice in the Lord - always! I say again, rejoice! And let your gracious gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near, so do not worry about anything. But in everything, with prayer, and thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will protect your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, my brothers and sisters, set your minds on all that is true, and pure, just, and honourable. Set your minds on all that is pleasing, and admirable, excellent, and worthy of praise.

And whatever you have learned from all that I have said and done, put this into practice also. And the God of peace will be with you. This is the word of the Lord.

Gospel - Matthew 22.1-14

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. Jesus spoke again to the chief priests, and the Pharisees, in a parable. ‘A king gave a banquet for the wedding of his son. But when he sent his servants to call those who had been invited, they would not come. So he sent other servants, with the message: “Come now to the wedding banquet! The cattle and the best calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready!” But they ignored the king’s servants, and went away, to their farms, and to their businesses. Some even seized the king’s servants, and beat them, and killed them. The king was furious, and sent his troops to destroy those murderers, and burn their city. Then the king said to his servants, “The wedding is ready, but those who were invited are not worthy. So go out into the streets, and invite everyone you find!” The servants went out into the streets and gathered everyone they found, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. When the king himself came in, he saw that every single guest had put on the wedding robe - except one. The king challenged him, but he had no reply. And the king had him thrown out into the night. For even when many are called, not all are finally chosen.’ This is the Gospel of the Lord.