December 2, 2011

Reflection (The readings are below, for your reference)

What intrigues me about this passage is that central moment when the king says to one of the guests, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?” This is Jesus telling the story. Jesus, who regularly hangs out with lepers, the blind and the lame, and says things like “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor.” Yeah, I’m pretty darn sure that the king in the story isn’t questioning the guest’s sartorial austerity.

Here’s what I think, I think “wedding robe” is symbolic of something else – something representative of a wedding, and that is joy. Jesus sees a guest at an unconditional love fest and the guy is not fully dressed without a smile (apologies to the musical Annie). No joy.

Gracious loving God, help me to be an ambassador of your joy and unconditional love by wearing the countenance of one who is delighted to be in the presence of such a God.

Namaste

The Readings

Matthew 22:1- 14

Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, “Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.” But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, maltreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, “The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.” Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.

‘But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?” And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” For many are called, but few are chosen.’