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Readings for October 9, 2011
Is 25: 6-10 a
2 Phil 4: 12-14, 19-20
MT 22: 1-14
We are all invited to come to the feast - but come prepared!
This Sunday's readings take us on something of a roller-coaster ride, and in the time of Jesus, his words in Matthew would have shocked his listeners down to their sandals.
But first, consider the verse from Isaiah, where we are reminded that the "Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines; juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines." Yes, we are most ready to attend such a feast!
Then the words of St. Paul to the Philippians bring us down to earth: "I know how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance." Whatever his circumstances or ours, Paul is confident that "My God will fully supply whatever you need..." Whatever our circumstances, we are encouraged to trust in God and know that God walks with us.
Now to the wedding feast of Jesus' parable, spoken to the chief priests and elders. Even today, the 'long form' of this Gospel can shock us with its harsh judgment. This is a story of heaven, where all are invited to the wedding feast - but woe to those of us who 'diss' the king by ignoring his invitation or by showing up without proper attire.
In Jesus' day, only the most privileged and powerful would have been invited to the wedding of the king's heir. The rich were, perhaps, five percent of the population, with the poor the rest. No middle class, and a very small artisan class.
With so many invited guests ignoring his invitation, perhaps this was a king who was perceived as weak. Otherwise, how could his guests ignore such an invitation, a 'command performance?' Worse still, some of those invited guests killed the messengers. Not surprisingly, the king "destroyed those murderers and burned their city." These guests "were not worthy to come."
Still, the feast is ready, so the king sends more servants to the highways and the byways to invite "whomever you find." Even today, it's difficult to imagine extending such a last-minute invitation to strangers on the street, welcoming a small crowd to join us for a family wedding or holiday feast! In ancient Israel, where class distinctions were much more rigid, it was unthinkable! Surely that crowd would have included sinners and the unclean!
Still, the king manages to fill his banquet hall. At this point, we might be tempted to congratulate ourselves; after all, we are not like the priests and elders who disdained the king's invitation. We are those people from the main roads, invited as last-minute guests. And here we are, seated at the banquet in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Here the short form of the Gospel ends. But I encourage all of us to read the long form. It was shocking 2,000 years ago, and is shocking today. As a good host, the king is mingling, greeting his new guests, when he comes across a man not dressed in a wedding garment. When the king asks why he would come without a wedding garment, this guest is reduced to silence. The king's response? He orders the guest bound and tossed out into the darkness, "'where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.' Many are invited, but few are chosen.'"
In elementary and high school, I always wanted to speak up for this poor fellow. Perhaps he was so poor, he did not have a wedding garment. Then I was reminded that even the poor had something that would pass muster as a wedding garment. In a quieter way, this guest, too, dishonored the king and his son.
Jesus is encouraging us to be mindful of the loving invitation God extends to each of us, whatever our circumstances.
Now we come to that final sentence: "Many are invited, but few are chosen." Is Jesus, through Matthew's text, telling us that our fate with God is predestined? Theologians through the ages have wrestled with that interpretation -- and other texts that seem to hint at predestination. The Catholic tradition reminds us that while all are invited, not all respond appropriately. Our free will gives us the opportunity to say 'yes' or 'no' to God; to say , "Yes, but I don't want to make a full commitment at this time." Those who respond with a hearty 'yes' will enjoy the lush banquet of heaven, even if they are wearing a more modest wedding garment than others at the feast.
Of note: some biblical scholars believe this final piece of the parable was actually an addition to the first, a reminder that all are invited, and all who attend must 'clothe themselves in the new garment of Christ."
Judy Horak, an Ascension parishioner since 2004, holds a master's in pastoral studies from Catholic Theological Union. A member of the Ascension Schola, she is the national communications director for the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in Des Plaines, IL.
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