AM I CLOTHED IN THE WEDDING GARMENT OF CHRIST’S TEACHING? October 12, 2014 th The 28 Ordinary Sunday—RA46 Page 1 “God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus?” [Philippians 4:19]] A. ISAIAH 25:6-10-- The Context. First Isaiah describes the turbulent period in the history of Israel, 740-687 B.C. Assyria exiled the northern kingdom of Israel in 721 and forced Judah to pay high tribute. [RG 231] Today’s fragment is a song of thanksgiving. These verses seem to refer to an arrogant city in the past that has been overthrown. It gives a graphic description of the great banquet that the Lord will prepare for his people in the end times. [JSB, 831] B. PSALM 23:1-6--The Context. God’s loving care for the psalmist is portrayed under the figures of a shepherd for the flock, and a host’s generosity toward a guest. [TCB, 661] C. PHILIPPIANS 4:12-14,19-20--The Context: Paul wrote this book circa 55 A.D to his first Christian community in Europe. Paul writes this letter from prison. In today’s portion Paul thanks the Philippians for their generosity in his time of distress and need. Mostly during his ministry Paul relied on himself (his labor) or on God to provide for his needs. [TCB, 317] D. MATTHEW 22:1-14--The Context: Matthew was a Greek speaking Jewish convert living at the end of the first century in Antioch, Syria and writing to a Jewish audience around 70-90 A.D. [RG 314] Today’s pericope is the parable of the wedding feast. Allegorical traits: (1) the burning of the city of guests who refused the invitation corresponds to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 A.D.; (2) the sending of two groups of servants; (3) the murder of the servants and the punishment of the murderers; (4) and the entrance of a new group into a privileged situation of which the others had proved themselves unworthy. Matthew presents the kingdom of God in its double aspect: (1) something already present that can be entered here and now and (2) as something “not yet” that will be possessed only by those who can stand the scrutiny of the final judgment. [TCB, 47[ WHAT IS GOD SAYING TO ME PERSONALLY TODAY? This is a parable about the Kingdom of God and about the people who will eventually belong to it. It is seen here under the aspect of a marriage feast for a king's son. In the parable, the king sends out his servants, referring to the long line of prophets sent to the people of Israel calling them to love and service. "But they would not come," says Jesus. Another batch of servants is sent out. "Tell those who have been invited that I have my banquet all prepared... Everything is ready. Come to the wedding." When God calls there is always a sense of urgency. The only time to respond is NOW. I need always to be on the watch. That is not what happens here. We are told that those invited were simply not interested. They reacted in two ways. Either they were too involved in their own worldly interests to be bothered or else they seized the king's messengers, "maltreated them and killed them". How many of us are guilty of the first way? To what extent, even right now, are we closed to calls from God because we are so tied up in all kinds of concerns and anxieties about things which do not really matter or about things which cannot guarantee us real happiness? With the refusal of those originally invited, the king once again repeats that the wedding is "ready.” The servants are now sent out, not to the houses of the wealthy and respectable, but to the "crossroads". These are near the gates and markets of a typical Middle East town where large crowds of ordinary people would gather. Here, they are the social and religious outcasts, tax collectors, prostitutes, all those in despised trades. No exceptions are made. All are invited, good and bad alike, until the wedding hall is filled. There is now no "chosen people", no elite. The Church calls all to its bosom. Having said all this, the last part of the parable seems a gross contradiction. It seems so unjust. Having gone out to the highways and byways to bring in all and sundry without exception, how AM I CLOTHED IN THE WEDDING GARMENT OF CHRIST’S TEACHING? th October 12, 2014 The 28 Ordinary Sunday—RA46 Page 2 can one justify tossing out someone because he does not have a "wedding garment"? Where was he expected to get it at such short notice? Yet, some reflection will reveal that it is really part of the same teaching. The Jewish leaders rejected Jesus. Other people, Jewish outcasts and pagans, were invited to take their place at the banquet. However, it is not enough just to be present at the banquet. One was expected to come properly dressed ready to participate and not in dirty, untidy clothes. This would show a total lack of respect for one's fellow-guests. The parable ends on a slightly pessimistic (or is it a realistic?) note. "For many (that is, all) are called, but few are chosen." That is, it is a sad fact that although everyone is being called to experience the love of God in their lives, relatively few will take the plunge and really try to taste that experience. The majority take what they regard as the safer path of looking for happiness in making money, building a career, indulging in sexual pleasures, rising in the social scale, surrounding themselves with material abundance. The wedding garment in the parable symbolizes the wedding guest” putting on" Christ. Such a person, through Baptism, the sacrament by which one is given access to the wedding banquet of the Lord, has grown to be clothed in the spirit and teaching of Jesus. This is shown by the gradual transformation of his life through the influence of Jesus. How do we see this call? Do we find it a privilege, a blessing, or a troublesome burden? We might reflect today: to what extent have we really offered ourselves in love and service to Jesus through his people? To what extent could we be considered purely marginal members of our parish community? To what extent do we give clear witness of the importance to us of Jesus’ values of justice, compassion and peace? We must never forget that as baptized Christians we cannot just leave the rest of the world to take care of itself as we focus our actions in our narrow comfort zone of family and friends. Today's readings tell us that God has wonderful things in store for us. Everyone, no matter what kind of past they have had, receives the same invitation to sit down at God's table. However, having initially answered the invitation, we cannot take things for granted. There is no room for complacency. Almost more dangerous than being an obviously sinful person is being the "ordinary, run-of-the-mill Catholic", the "Sunday" Catholic, the "I'm a good enough Catholic", the "I'm a Catholic but not a fanatic about my religion". These are all cop-outs. And it is not God but ourselves who are the losers. So let us pray that we may keep our wedding garments pure and spotless, that we become disciples who really hear and act on the teaching of Jesus. Let us pray for a deeper faith and love and a better spirit of service and sense of responsibility to those in need in our community. [Frank Doyle, S.J.] WHAT AM I GOING TO DO ABOUT IT? Have I been overly involved in worldly interests to be bothered with active service to others? Have I been seeking happiness in money, career, pleasure or social climbing? Do I resolve today to begin serving those in need of food, shelter, clothing, a friend, or compassion? What steps will I take to identify someone in need and how will I help that person ? [Sources: Scripture readings- The Catholic Bible, NAB translation, Home Study Edition, (TCB), and its Reading Guide (RG); The Jewish Study Bible, Tanakh Translation, [JSB] Jewish Publication Society; The New Jerome Biblical Commentary, (NJBC) 1990 edition; J.L.McKenzie, SJ, Dictionary of the Bible (DB); Wm Barclay , Daily Study Bible Series, John (DSBS), Wm Barclay; Sunday Scripture th Reflections by Frank Doyle, SJ at http://www.sacredspace.ie/livingspace; 28 Ordinary Sunday [Compiled by Michael Hosemann].