New Testament Eucharistic Readings for Sunday of Proper 23: Year A
Philippians 4:1to9 and Matthew 22:1to14
“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.” (Matthew 22:11 and 12)
In this parable from our Lord Jesus the king has deemed the original guests as unworthy and has now “scraped the barrel” so to speak, for anybody that could be found to attend the wedding banquet. Then why be intolerant of one who can’t afford or just doesn’t have a proper robe, unless of course, one was offered but then refused?
Today, in our post COVID crisis many communities still require people gathered to wear masks. If they don’t have one, quite often the host will offer one. If the guests still refuses to wear it, they are asks to leave; where there “might” be weeping and gnashing of teeth, (or not).
I believe in the resurrection. However, when we are raised from the dead and are presented before the great throne of God , there are no guarantees that we will remain with all the resurrected. We must come before judgment. I believe even those who refused to come to the wedding feast were brought before the judgment seat.
All will come to the resurrection, although they were destroyed while still here on their earthly journey, God will bring them to judgment. Some will work to do that which is right and thus wear the wedding robe of reception, while understanding it is not works righteousness, but rather, following God’s lead to love and justice. However, it is obvious that still some of us will not do what is necessary to remain in glory for all eternity.
God has shown us in scripture that there is often a requirement for us to trust, and to believe, and follow where God leads us in order to be co-creators with God. From Moses raising his staff to part the waters in order to cross; to filling barrels with water in order to be changed into wine at the wedding in Cana of Galilee. We are asked to participate with God for our own good at the pleasure of God.
My personal creed is: I trust in the Creating and Sustaining Word as revealed by the Incarnate Word in Whom we live, move, love and have our being; and to Whom we must all give an account.
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine, Russia, Israel and our schools.
As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
onewhoponders 