RBWords

     Some years ago when I was pastor at the Tulane Catholic Center, I was invited to address a Christian organization on campus known as "Inter-varsity."  The topic was "Christian Spirituality."  I did speak on that topic, but at the end of my talk, the questions were more about "Who can be saved?"  The tenor of the questions suggested that a direct and explicit belief in Jesus Christ was necessary for salvation and that all others were doomed.  When I gently suggested that such an idea was not in keeping with Catholic belief and that God did not create millions in his own image and likeness only to punish them eternally, the coordinator decided to intervene and thank me for my presence, etc. etc.  

     The parable in today's passage from the Gospel According to Matthew comes near the end of Jesus' ministry.  He is in the temple in Jerusalem, and his teaching is quite pointed. However, the way in which Matthew reports the parable means that it is intended not just for the original audience but for the disciples who followed later on.  The original guests to the wedding are God's Chosen People.  They rejected the invitation that Jesus offered.  But when the invitation was extended more widely, i.e., to the Gentiles, it could not be taken for granted in such a way that one could respond any way one wanted.  The guest who appeared improperly clothed for the occasion would be banned as well.  Taking the invitation for granted and rejecting the invitation both carry hard consequences.  

     Some of the students in the group sincerely thought they were among the chosen and would be invited into the wedding banquet to the exclusion of others.  The parable says that anyone who comes, as long as they show a life in accord with Jesus' teachings, may be admitted.  It is the Lord who decides, and not us.  Our job is to accept the invitation and give it the serious response it deserves.  AMEN