Today’s Scripture Readings

Gospel Reading

NRSV

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.’

Jesus portrays the kingdom of heaven as a wedding feast. This imagery is joyful and generous, with the King wanting those invited to celebrate with him. Yet the first guests refuse to come. Some are simply distracted by their own busyness, while others reject the invitation with hostility.

The king opens the feast to everyone found on the roads, “both good and bad”. This is a powerful picture of God’s grace as God’s love extends beyond our human boundaries and reaches out to those who do not see themselves as worthy. Entry to the kingdom is not attained by status, reputation or achievement. It is to be received as pure gift. Each of us is invited to the feast because we have been invited by God’s mercy.

One guest enters without a wedding garment and is cast out. The invitation is free, but it is not without cost. To enter the feast is to allow ourselves to be changed. The wedding garment symbolises a life now clothed in humility, justice and love. To accept the King’s hospitality is to undertake the healing transformation that characterises the kingdom.

This parable poses two questions for us: Am I listening when God invites me to his banquet or am I too occupied with my own concerns? If I have accepted God’s invitation, am I willing to live as someone clothed for the feast?

God’s grace is abundant, but it calls for a genuine response of the heart to embrace a Kingdom lifestyle.