Matthew 22:1-14 (NRSV)
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Chapter 22Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: Verse 2"The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. Verse 3He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Verse 4Again 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.' Verse 5But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, Verse 6while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. Verse 7The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Verse 8Then he said to his slaves, 'The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Verse 9Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.' Verse 10Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. Verse 11"But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, Verse 12and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?' And he was speechless. Verse 13Then 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.' Verse 14For many are called, but few are chosen."
Devotion
The invitation first given may have had “tuxedo and gown” in mind, but it became a “come as you are” party. Twice invited, the guests did not come. Not only that, they killed the messengers. How generous is the invitation? The invitation is given first to the invited banquet guests (who refused), and then to “everyone you find…both good and bad.” How gracious is the invitation from God? It extends beyond those first invited. Beyond our imagining! Both good and bad! The invitation is before us. Come to the banquet where all good gifts are celebrated! Welcome to the table of the Lord!
Prayer
Turn us from refusal to acceptance; and let us taste the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Amen.