The invitations are out

Matthew 22:1-14

          I find this a fascinating reading and one that calls to mind some thoughts I have been pondering even before I read today's passage.  When did Jesus know who he knew?  We all can know things but at the same time really not grasp the full meaning. For example I can spout all day that Jesus loves me or that I am a child of God but it is a far greater to know this in one's heart and in every fiber of your being.  I can recall having gone to confession and stating some horrible offense against God I committed. Father gave absolution but did I feel forgiven in my heart? 

       If in today's passage the king is God and the invited guests are the Jews, this seems like quite a parable to come from Jesus.  He was the one to say he came for the lost children of Israel only.  Did Jesus grow in his knowledge as a human?  He may have known he was the son of God, maybe not even that. Did he grow in knowledge and his awareness increase? Whether some Jews deliberately turned away from God or turned away by virtue of their undo attentiveness to the law, rules and rubrics, Jesus is now opening up salvation to everyone.  From the sinners and prostitutes, to Samaritan women and Roman soldiers, the message of love and salvation became open to all. His actions speak quite clearly. His words however, at least initially would have you know he came only for the lost children of Israel, now it is much broader.

         Who are the people today that are being called to the feast? People that once were anathema are now welcome. Jesus may have known he was the son of God but I am not sure he knew the magnitude or breadth of what it meant until he had the wisdom of some years under his tunic. God's love it seems is not based on democracy. As much as that human invention is the last best hope for mankind,  God's wisdom and love is perfect,  The creator is not subject to the adage that absolute power corrupts absolutely. God's love is all encompassing, all loving, all forgiving, all embracing.

            

           

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.’