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(Is.25:6-10;\xa0\xa0 Ps.23:1-6;\xa0\xa0 Phil.4:12-14,19-20;\xa0\xa0 Mt.22:1-14) \xa0 \u201cOn this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines.\u201d \xa0 \u201cThe kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son.\u201d\xa0 It may be equated with \u201cjuicy, rich food and pure, choice wines,\u201d with \u201ccalves and fatted cattle ready to be eaten.\u201d\xa0 A great banquet is the kingdom of heaven! But, of course, though we speak here of food and eating, we know that it is not this we should thus seek on this earth, for these things are but of the earth and are only used to help us understand the heavenly fruits which are ours in the kingdom of God.\xa0 Paul makes this clear in his attitude toward food and the provisions that are of this world: \u201cIn every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need,\u201d and it truly matters not to him whether he is rich or poor in material things; all that matters is that we \u201ccan do all things in Him who strengthens\u201d us \u2013 all that matter are the \u201cglorious riches in Jesus Christ.\u201d\xa0 Food and feasting are but metaphors for the things that in this world are unseen. However, it is so that \u201cthe feast is ready\u201d even here on this earth.\xa0 It is true that the Lord \u201cspread[s] the table before\u201d us even in this world, even \u201cin the sight of [our] foes.\u201d\xa0 He does not leave us poor humans alone without real food to strengthen us for our journey.\xa0 But this food is spiritual fare; His Body and Blood are not juicy and rich to our taste, to our bellies, but to our souls.\xa0 This food nourishes the Spirit He has planted within us, and helps it ever to grow.\xa0 Though real as our own flesh and our own blood, yet it truly is of heaven, and lends the glory of God to this bone of His bone. \u201cGod will fully supply whatever you need,\u201d brothers and sisters; have no fear of being in want and no anxiety to build up abundance on this earth.\xa0 He indeed is beside you always, giving your soul blessed \u201crepose.\u201d\xa0 Make it your aim to \u201cdwell in the house of the Lord.\u201d\xa0 Then \u201con that day\u201d He reveals His kingdom, you will \u201crejoice and be glad,\u201d saying, \u201cBehold, our God, to whom we looked to save us!\u201d\xa0 Then you will enter His presence forever.\xa0 Prepare your soul for the wedding feast of heaven. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "The Readiness Is All" from Bearing the Birth Pangs, tenth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, prepare us well to come into your House, to enter into eternal life with you, our God and Savior.\xa0 YHWH, you spread the table before us, a feast of your kingdom.\xa0 Rich food and choice wines are ours even this day in the Body and Blood of your Son.\xa0 Let us offer you due praise and thanks for all your provisions for our journey to you. And when we come finally into your kingdom, LORD, where death has been destroyed and we stand in the light of your presence, our hearts shall leap up in absolute joy\u2026 and we shall remain with you forever. But let our wedding garment be prepared this day.\xa0 O LORD, let us find the purity we need to stand in your presence and rejoice in your glory.\xa0 For yet our hearts are not set wholly on you \u2013 forgive our continual rejection of your grace. You are at our side, dear LORD; you bless and guide us as we walk this dark earth.\xa0 Help us to cling to you in trust and faith, and our place beside you will be assured.\xa0 Glory to you, O LORD!