Word to the Wise
Thursday, August 20, 2015 - Thursday in the 20th Week in Ordinary Time
[Judg 11:29-39a and Matt 22:1-14]"Many are invited, but few are chosen." [Matthew]
AUGUST 20 ST. BERNARD, abbot
"Many are invited, but few are chosen." [Matthew]
The parable of the wedding feast follows up on the story of the laborers in the vineyard. In this story a King invites special guests and they all refuse or give excuses even to the point of killing the messenger who brings the invitation! So, the King sends out more messengers, but this time to anyone who is willing to come. The twist in this comes with someone who responds to the invitation but does not wear the proper garments for the occasion! This seems like a small matter, but it indicates a casual attitude toward the occasion. The offending guest took the invitation for granted and paid a terrible price. "Many are invited, but few are chosen." This follows "Thus, the last will be first and the first will be last."
In both parables there is someone who takes God for granted, and "expects" to have a certain reward. The parable is a warning to disciples that "status" is not a guarantee at all. It is faith and living according to Jesus' teachings that will determine the goal. The "wedding garment" shows the intention of the disciple to be serious about following Jesus. The invitation goes to many people, but it makes demands. AMEN