Author: Anna Shipton Meter: 8.8.8.8 D Appears in 1 hymnal First Line: The feast is spread, the Master waits Lyrics: 1. The feast is spread, the Master waits,
And north and south, and east and west,
There issues through the golden gates
A welcome to each wedding guest.
Where are they? For a crowd should throng
This festal day the royal board;
Yet silent is the joyful song;
No answer greets a gracious Lord!
2. Hark! murmurs and excuses rise,
And sordid care has stronger charm;
One turns him to his merchandise;
Another pleads his thriving farm.
Around an idol's shrine they sing,
Upon its godless worship bent,
Nor heed the summons of the King,
And scorn the Messenger he sent.
3. Into the city's lanes the cry,
"All things are ready," rolls along;
Highways and hedges wan'dring by,
Far sweeter than an angel's song,
And lo, they come! the deaf, the lame,
The broken-hearted and the blind;
They only know the Lord by name,
Yet not the lamest lags behind.
4. Wrapped in the fair and seamless dress,
All suited to their regal home,
Safe in a Savior’s righteousness,
Behold the eager wand’rers come.
Just as they are, in all their need,
In poverty and sore disease,
Hunger and thirst they only plead;
Love you the Lord, then, more than these?
5. Will you not harken and draw near?
Behold! still waits an open door!
Wake, slumb’rers! Rise! and wakened, hear!
Ah! have you never heard before?
Who nothing has, has nought to bring!
So enter, sinner, take your rest;
Trust in the word of Christ our King,
And be a welcome wedding guest.
Topics: Ordinary Time Week 23 Scripture: Matthew 22:2-3 Used With Tune: WEXFORD CAROL
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