Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Twenty Eight Sunday of the Year, A – October 15, 2017

Readings: Isaiah 25:6-10; Responsorial Psalm Ps 22:1-6;

 Phil 4:12-14,19-20 & Gospel Matthew 22:1-14.

Theme: Weave Your Wedding Garment Now!

Introduction

Friends in Christ, today Jesus presents us with a “window parable.” Last week we quoted Mark Link (2006) as saying that a window parable is a simple story which teaches about God or God’s kingdom. As verbal windows, they enable us to get insights into God or God’s kingdom. Since we alluded to the fact that these parables often begin with “the kingdom of God is like,” in today’s gospel (Matthew 22:1-14), Jesus presents us with another “window parable” which has that kind of beginning - That is, the parable of the wedding feast.

Background

 We shall attempt what each character in the text stands for while giving the meaning of the various issues raised in the parable:

ü  Story teller: Jesus;

ü  Audience: Chief priests and elders of the people;

ü  The king: God;

ü  The king’s servants: The prophets;

ü  The first people who refused to turn up for the wedding: The chief priests, elders of the people and the Israelites;

ü  The banquet invitation: The Old Passover as a prelude to the New and Everlasting Covenant Christ enacted with his blood in the Holy Eucharist;

ü  Reasons of not turning up at the banquet: Three reasons for failure to honour the invitation are:

1.      Apathy: We are told that those who refused to turn up did so because they were not interested; the wedding feast was not just in their agenda.

2.      Mundane interests: Others were busy with mundane interests that is why some went to the farm and others, their business. What was more crucial to them was what would profit them not the wedding feast of the son of some king.

3.      Sheer wickedness: The apathy and busy-nature of their schedules would culminate in seizing the king’s servants so as to maltreat and kill them – A case of sheer insensitivity and cruelty.  

ü  The second people who honoured the invitation: Because the feast was ready and those who were initially invited failed to show up, those who were brought from the byways are gentile nations.

ü  The man without the wedding garment: It would appear that since the invitation was open, every Tom, Dick and Harry could show up. Well, the story teller proves us wrong. The story ends with punishment for the man who did not wear the wedding garment. The wedding clothe is a symbol of integrity and holiness.

The new banquet prefigured by the celebration of the Holy Eucharist here on earth should give us a glimpse of what would happen at the wedding feast of the lamb – Not everyone who goes to Church receives Holy Communion; sadly, not all who receive the Eucharist may be in the state of grace. Apparently, if we do no change, what happened to the man without the dress would be our portion – God forbid!

In Jewish culture, pre and post wedding activities are similar to that of many cultures in Africa. Since we are narrowing our reflection on wedding invitations and wedding garments, it is important for us to understand that wedding invitations were sent twice as the gospel suggests. Usually, the parents of the bride and groom would send the first invitation about three to four months off front. It is when the date is approaching that a reminder is sent. Sometimes those who get the first invitation may not get the second one.

It is heartbreaking for anyone who gets the second initiation to turn it down since the second one is usually is more definite and circulates among cronies and close associates whom we often describe as VIPs. Considering the person who sends the invitation, the kind of high-profile wedding that it is and the money involved, failing to show up of smacks of not only disrespect but ingratitude for failing to show up at a feast which you were considered a VIP. 

Contemporary Application of the Gospel

 In narrowing down the gospel to present day realities, we must realize that: 

ü  Like the chief priests, elders of the people and the Israelites, Jesus is addressing this parable to us too.

ü  Just as the people of Israel failed to ensure a smooth transition from the Passover of Old to the New and Everlasting Covenant inaugurated by Christ, we too are sometimes complacent in embracing the Holy Eucharist with all the blessings that it portends for us.

ü  Like the chief priests and the elders of the people, we too are guilty of apathy because we often refuse to turn up for Mass or Church Service because we are not just interested - the wedding feast is not just on our agenda.