Theme:

This Sunday's reading speaks of the abundance that God gives to those who belong to him.

Questions:

Day 1: The first reading speaks of the abundant blessings God has stored for his people.

• The prophet spoke of God preparing a feast. He speaks of a feast of rich food with marrow and well-aged wine. What picture does this evoke? What does it say about how God provides?

• The prophet also said that God will remove the shroud over all people and will swallow death forever. What does this mean?

• The prophet also said that God will wipe away every tear. What does this mean to you?

• These are what God has planned for you. If you want these, you need to respond to his invitation. How will you respond to God now that he has invited you? What will you tell him?

Day 2: The reading continues to speak of God's salvation.

• The reading speaks of waiting for the Lord. What does this mean?

• According to this passage, what will happen when you wait for the Lord?

• How will you wait for the Lord?

• How is this passage relevant to you?

Day 3: You may be familiar with the psalm. It pictures us as sheep and God as the shepherd.

• What does it mean to be in want? What does it mean when the psalmist say that he shall not want?

• Why would the psalmist not fear ANY evil? What protects him? What do you think are God's rod and staff?

• The psalmist also says that his cup overflows. What does this mean?

• How is this psalm relevant to your situation now?

• What will you tell the Lord?

Day 4: Although normally, the second reading is not related to the first and the gospel readings, this Sunday's second reading is related to both. St. Paul received a gift from the church at Philippi and he was thanking them.

• What did St. Paul mean when he said that he has learned to be content with what he had?

• How is this relevant to your situation?

• St. Paul said that he had experienced little and plenty. He has learned to cope with these. How will you apply this to your financial situation?

Day 5: St. Paul speaks of the providence of God.

• According to St. Paul, how can he do all things? Where does he find strength? What did he mean by that?

• St. Paul says, “My God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus”. How will God satisfy your needs?

• Will he satisfy some or part of it? How is this relevant to you?

• Why do you think does God want to do this for you?

• What will you tell God about his plan to abundantly supply your every need?

Day 6: The gospel reading compares the kingdom of heaven to a banquet.

• When one speaks of a banquet, what comes to your mind? How is the kingdom of heaven similar to a banquet?

• What did the king prepare? What did those invited have to do?

• What did they do instead? What did they miss?

• Relating this to your life, what will you miss if you do not accept God's invitation? What do you have to do to attend the banquet prepared by God?

Day 7: When those invited did not come, the king invited anyone on the streets to the banquet, good and bad.

• If only the good can enter the kingdom of heaven, why did Jesus say that the good and bad were in the banquet?

• In the parable, the king did not throw out the bad people from the banquet. He threw out the one without a wedding robe. What does this mean?

• Everyone is called by God to the banquet. This includes you. How can you ensure that you are with those chosen to stay?