Today’s gospel passage presents us with a parable, perhaps better termed an allegory, one of the teaching tools attributed to Jesus. We’ve learned that a parable has a level beneath the storyline, is meant to teach a lesson, and inevitably is intended to evoke a response. The evangelist identified for us as Matthew, writing around the year 90 AD, is said to have had concerns for the life of the church, the repudiation of Israel, and the manner in which the Gentiles were being assimilated. So did Jesus actually tell this story? Or did Matthew design it to pass along what he clearly held as Jesus’ message for the Church? Can we ever be sure? In the gospel narrative, Jesus had begun the last week of his life. He had entered Jerusalem with hosannas ringing and palm branches waving. His cures and disruption of the money changers in the temple brought on him the crowds acclamation and the chief priests and elders’ wrath. As these men challenged his authority, he gave them lots to ponder in three parables, this being the third. A simple story with a meaning they could grasp.

A wedding feast was planned by a king for his son. Servants were sent out, but not heeded; no guests responded that they will come. A second group was sent out who were not only unsuccessful but ignored and then killed. The king promptly dispatched troops to destroy the land of these indifferent and hostile people. That accomplished, the invitation was sent out into the highways and byways where it was graciously accepted, and many guests arrived ready for the feast. But one, not properly attired and apparently having no explanation, was put out into the darkness.

The underlying meaning? A marriage feast or banquet was a popular way in ancient times for imagining what life in the coming kingdom would be like. In this story the first group of servants seems to represent the prophets sent by God, who were ignored and whose messages went unheeded. As for the second group, we today and very likely the church in Matthew’s time can identify these as John the Baptist and Jesus who came to bring a new way, yet were not fully accepted and were executed. By the time of Matthew’s writing the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD had taken place. Was this part of the story an allusion to that? Was he subtly having Jesus foretell that? Or was it just part of the story? At least it would have been clear to the people of that time that the multitudes of profoundly and publicly religious Jews had refused the invitation to follow Jesus’ teachings, and how all kinds of people, , were welcomed: good and bad, tax collectors and prostitutes, Jew and Gentile alike. The mission of the church was to be inclusive. As the story has it, many are now coming

But if this story is about the messianic banquet, the great gathering at end time around God’s table in the kingdom, we can look at its conclusion and reflect on the way that feast is described. The invited come, there is great rejoicing. But there is that person who accepted the invitation, arrived but wasn’t to be seated at the table. Was this person, (described as not dressed for the occasion) meant to represent those people who had neglected to prepare, not changed their behavior, not done something obviously expected of anyone who accepted the King’s invitation?

It’s this part of the story that over the years has been problematic. Many and varied interpretation have been suggested by faithful people, scholars and simple folks alike, to help clarify what this might mean. How can this King who has reached out to all now seemingly reject some? And does this person represent, a certain group or type of person who deserve to be put out into darkness? Notice the story itself ends there. That next line is not words of the King. Those are Jesus words after the story ends! Often when gospel parables are attributed to Jesus, he explains the meaning at some length, at least to his disciples, but not so this time. Matthew has Jesus giving only one simple statement this time, after the parable ends; no explanation; just this short comment: “Many are invited, but few are chosen.” He doesn’t elaborate but surely those chief priests and eldersand all those early Christians, got the message. More is expected than a simple assent; an acceptance of an invitation to holiness is insufficient. Do we get the message?

In God there is no time; God’s word in scripture is also timeless. The King, our God, is issuing the invitation over and over, daily inviting us come to banquet prepared.

If over the centuries, the wedding garment has been said to symbolize the ethical quality expected in the church, how Christians are meant to act, what does it mean for us? Are we to cloth themselves, so to speak, with a manner of acting that is noticeable. A Christian is expected live as Jesus did; daily, in little and big ways, really showing justice, compassion, and love of neighbor. It would seem each one hearing this parable is called to reflect on what she or he is doing, having been invited, to prepare for the participation in that great feast at the end of time.

For me the most difficult thing about this parable, is that it challenges my belief in an all merciful and forgiving God. It forces me to consider what that messianic banquet is to be like? I find it hard to believe in a final condemnation for anyone who has accepted the invitation, yet I believe God’s way of acting can only be with perfect love. It isn’t often that I am uncomfortable with my faith. Was faith ever meant to be? For now, I think it’s best for me to let God be God, and to let this parable inspire and strengthen me to be my best self.

If I truly believe that each is meant to listen with an open heart and find what any scripture passage is asking, it would seem the task for me to take from this liturgy today is obvious; I’m meant to seriously reflect on the invitation I have received, my acceptance of it and my movement toward place in the kingdom where the banquet is being prepared. This means some specific questions for me. Am I clear on how I daily live out my baptismal commitment? On my fidelity to the monastic way of life that I profess? Did I hear the King’s invitation today? Am I really honest with myself about my readiness? Am I truly able to say that my wedding garment is clean, pressed, and ready for whenever the time comes that I need it?