Amos 5:1-17
Psalms 16, 17, 22
Jude 1-16
Matthew 22:1-14
Parable of the Wedding Feast
As a parable, of course this reading is not about a fashion faux pas, but then what mistake was made by the poor man who was “thrown outside into the darkness?” He did attend the feast to which he was invited, so what was wrong? Perhaps he was just going through the motions of life, just as we can as Christians. Sure we attend church, call ourselves Christians or Episcopalians, help with service projects, even offer heartfelt prayers for help. But maybe we’ve never accepted Jesus’ invitation to know him personally as our Lord and savior. Maybe we go through the motions of being a Christian, but we’ve just never actually acknowledged that we need a savior. After all we really are a good person. Bottom line – “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23). We need to be sure we are properly dressed for the party in heaven.
Ok so what if you are “clothed in his righteousness?” How does this parable pertain to me? The first part of this parable is sometimes said to speak of Israel’s rejection of Jesus, but I think it can also refer to our going through the motions of daily life as a redeemed child of God. Maybe like the first group I sometimes refuse to go to the banquet. Well maybe I am there physically, but how often is my quiet time interrupted by my need to write something else on my “to do” list? Or as I am walking up for Communion am I trying to figure out what we’re doing for lunch today? Why are Christmas Eve services always at such inconvenient times?
Let us pray,
Heavenly Father, as we prepare to celebrate the birth of your Son, Our Savior, help us to not become entangled in trite traditions, but to keep the true celebration of your love for us at the forefront of the banquet. Amen.
Bernadette Ellis