Wedding Guests

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.’ Matthew 22:1-14

All clergy have funny and challenging wedding stories and many would rather do a funeral than a wedding. We all know the term bridezillas, but there are also momzillas and dadzillas across these weddings. In the parable Jesus tells them, a king invites VIPs to the wedding of his son and people refused, some in violent and insulting ways. He likened the reign of heaven as a wedding banquet. People who time and time again refuse are put out. This can be a scary passage, but we know God is calling us to be prepared, to respond in love and to honor those in our midst.

Wondrous Creator, you set a table for us

full of good food and wondrous beauty

calling us to some and join your love feast.

We get too caught up in our jaded world view

we respond lacking honor and without love

and we think no one cares about your call.

Help us to always be ready to respond in love

make us humble and honorable in all we do

and help us to honor those around us today. Amen.