After coordinating several weddings in my 19 years of working at the church, a parable highlighting a passionate parent of the groom is not too far from the truth. As a person who loves a good story and grew up in a culture of storytelling, I can appreciate the ability Jesus had to weave a good story together for any specific purpose. In this case, for the purpose Jesus had in mind, a king throws a wedding reception for his son, the guests refuse to come, his servants are killed trying to convince people to attend, the king gets angry, murders prospective guests, and burns the city down. Just when we think it can’t go any further, one of the random people who shows up at the reception gets kicked out into the rough neighborhood street for wearing the wrong clothes.

I can only imagine the thoughts surfacing in the minds of the chief priests and elders as they heard the parable of the wedding banquet. They were probably wondering, “What wedding feast is he talking about?” What servants? Are we the servants? Are we going to be killed? What does he mean? Will our city be burned down? Are we the ones who are not worthy? What garment? Are we the ones who are going to be thrown out into the darkness outside? Who are those wailing and grinding their teeth that he speaks of in his story? Who are those chosen? What invitation is he talking about? They must have been frustrated with many questions, but maybe they were too proud to ask, I would imagine.

It is easy to be emotionally hijacked by a story like the one Jesus tells in the Gospel today because it contradicts the image of God and the image of the kingdom of heaven we have. The story is symbolic, but the invitation is real. The Gospel reminds us that God's invitation to attend to our faith and relationships is broad, persistent, and generous. There is also a reminder that when we refuse to attend to our faith and relationships, there are consequences and serious implications for us and those around us. What we do as people of faith matters; our response to God matters. God is merciful and, therefore, never stops inviting us to the banquet of life where we may eat that which is nourishing and rest in the safety of God's arms.

Merciful God, help me respond as best I can to your invitation. Amen