The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
One of my best friends got married in 2023, and it was the most fun wedding I have ever attended. The ceremony itself was so beautifully anointed and pointed to Jesus’ desire to marry His people. The reception was so joy-filled. I remember not wanting that night to end because I was so happy for my friends and experienced this grace-filled party. Even I know, though, that this was a small foretaste of the Heavenly wedding banquet waiting for me.
In the first reading, we read about a mountain on which God will destroy death forever, the veil that veils all peoples, the web of death that is woven over nations. This is a promise made by God to His people. And what is that veil? It’s the veil that separates us from coming close to Him. There will be a banquet feast of rich food, an invitation to all peoples to come and celebrate. This is the mount that promises salvation. The amazing thing living in 2026 is the fact that we know that God achieved this. On Mount Calvary, by Jesus’ death and resurrection, death has been defeated, the veil has been destroyed. There is nothing that can separate us from God anymore! Not even death! The mount described by the Prophet Isaiah promises salvation, and Calvary achieves it. Isaiah 25 looks forward to this future rescue while Calvary is the historical moment that makes the rescue real. The suffering of Calvary opens the door to the Heavenly banquet in Isaiah and later described in the Gospels.
This is why Paul can write in the book of Philippians that he knows the secret of living in poverty and living with abundance: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Because of what happened on that mount through Jesus’ death, there is nothing that I lack. There is nothing that I want. God will supply fully what I need. Because He already has! God sent His Son to the earth to break the chains of death so that we can rest beside verdant pastures. We can walk in the dark valley of life and have no fear. We can eat at this rich banquet set before us while our enemies watch.
So while we learn to hear our Shepherd’s voice here on earth, let us look forward to the day that we will be summoned to the wedding feast of the Lamb forever in eternity.
Ali Hoffman loves God and loves people. She travels the globe preaching the Gospel and making disciples of all nations. She also mails monthly letters of encouragement and hand drawn pieces of art (affectionately called LYLO Letters) to build up the local church. You can find more info find more info here.
