The Kingdom Of Heaven Is Like A Wedding Feast Where. . . .
Sermon By: Bishop Francis Alleyne
The gospel for this Sunday is one of the Kingdom parables; “the Kingdom of God can be compared to a King who gave a feast for his son’s wedding”. Wedding celebrations in our own time and very much in our region still win a lot of attention; the invitations, the gifts, the dress, decor, food, drink, music, the atmosphere for the reception, who will speak etc. There are balloons and bubbles and chocolate fountains and a sense that no detail is spared and lavish expenditure is the order of the day. In Guyana there is a popular custom of the wedding party and guests driving in convoy through the city or district blowing horns with the newly wed couple riding in an elaborately decorated car.
In recent years I have observed a practice at weddings whereby the turn out of invitees at the reception is significantly larger than the attendance at the church ceremony. Maybe extenuating circumstances such as baby sitters, traffic, working hours could account for this though I more get the impression that the faith aspect of the celebration is judged to be less important. I recall one wedding where the focus and attention of the young couple was on the church ceremony. Readings, hymns, dress and decorum were about the sacrament, the sacredness and about what was happening between the bride and groom and between God and this couple. The couple and gathering were standing before a great mystery; a mystery of two becoming one and something very unique and special beginning for the couple and wider community. The celebration was about love and trust and forgiveness and expansiveness of life. In the congregation I could recognise a number of couples who were part of Marriage Encounter, their presence giving endorsement, encouragement and affirmation to the newly weds. In that church that afternoon was laid out the banquet that Isaiah speaks of in the first reading of today’s liturgy. In that celebration were the finest foods and drink in abundance in the the form of hopes, dreams, aspirations, mystery, desire, belonging and a confidence that so much is possible when God is with us. That is the wedding feast to which God invites us.
Marriage at its best it is the most profound expression of human relationship. This image is frequently adopted in scripture to describe the relationship between God and his people. God’s invitation to the wedding feast is for everyone to share with Him and one another something profound. Last year at the International Stewardship Conference I attended a workshop on “Growing an Engaged Church”. From polls done in faith communities in North America the findings were that on average in a parish community about 16% of the the members were actively engaged in the life of the community. Using their gifts they would be committed to ministry, they would be generally interested in the life of the community and have a strong sense of ownership, loyalty and responsibility. The individuals in this group were found to have a strong and lively faith and through their example and interaction with others were a source of inspiration and encouragement to other members. This is a win-win situation. But why only 16%? The ideal would be that the full membership would enjoy a greater celebration of their faith. I think of that famous quote from St. Irenaeus “The Glory of God is in a human being fully alive”. How much more the glory of God would shine in a fully engaged community. The same poll showed that on average about 50% of a faith community were quite passive, they would be present at Sunday Mass but not involved in ministry and may not interact at all with other members. My own sense is that persons that could be described this way are selling themselves short, depriving themselves of a deeper communion with their God and neighbour. This, as it were, is coming to the wedding feast without a wedding garment, without the best attitude and disposition, not fully attuned to the spirit of the celebration, perhaps not fully free to participate. God’s invitation to his wedding feast is continually being extended to us. May our hearts be increasingly free and ready to join in celebration and communion with him and one another.
God our Father, you continually call us to new and more abundant life. Give us listening hearts to hear your call, touch us with your healing presence and dispel all fear and distress, so that with our brothers and sisters we can grow in your love and further your kingdom here on earth.
First Reading – Isaiah 25:6-10A
On this mountain the LORD of hosts
will provide for all peoples
a feast of rich food and choice wines,
juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.
On this mountain he will destroy
the veil that veils all peoples,
the web that is woven over all nations;
he will destroy death forever.
The Lord GOD will wipe away
the tears from every face;
the reproach of his people he will remove
from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken.
On that day it will be said:
“Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us!
This is the LORD for whom we looked;
let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!”
For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain.
Responsorial Psalm PS 23:1-3A, 3B-4, 5, 6
Response: I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
Response: I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
with your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
Response: I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Response: I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
Response: I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
Second Reading – Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20
Brothers and sisters:
I know how to live in humble circumstances;
I know also how to live with abundance.
In every circumstance and in all things
I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry,
of living in abundance and of being in need.
I can do all things in him who strengthens me.
Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress.
My God will fully supply whatever you need,
in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
To our God and Father, glory forever and ever. Amen.
Gospel Matthew 22:1-14
Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and elders of the people
in parables, saying,
“The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king
who gave a wedding feast for his son.
He dispatched his servants
to summon the invited guests to the feast,
but they refused to come.
A second time he sent other servants, saying,
‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet,
my calves and fattened cattle are killed,
and everything is ready; come to the feast.”’
Some ignored the invitation and went away,
one to his farm, another to his business.
The rest laid hold of his servants,
mistreated them, and killed them.
The king was enraged and sent his troops,
destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.
Then he said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready,
but those who were invited were not worthy to come.
Go out, therefore, into the main roads
and invite to the feast whomever you find.’
The servants went out into the streets
and gathered all they found, bad and good alike,
and the hall was filled with guests.
But when the king came in to meet the guests,
he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment.
The king said to him, ‘My friend, how is it
that you came in here without a wedding garment?’
But he was reduced to silence.
Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet,
and cast him into the darkness outside,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’
Many are invited, but few are chosen.”
