We are given the image of a wedding feast which serves as an image for the Kingdom of Heaven. Here we are told about four groups of people. There were those invited who refused to come, there were those invited who ignored the invitation, there were those who attended without the proper wedding garment, and finally there are those who attended this wedding feast.
This image of being invited, but refusing to attend makes me think of CS Lewis’ the Great Divorce. In its opening chapters we are told of a bus station and how there are those who are observed who keep looking at their watches. They eventually lose hope and decide that they can wait no longer. Due to their lack of patience they never enter the bus which leads to the ultimate destination of Heaven.
So too we are often caught up in many distractions which cause us to refuse to journey towards that ultimate destination of Everlasting Life. As the king later instructs, “Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.” Therefore, this invitation is sent throughout the whole world. This means that this invitation comes to people of all walks of life.
No matter our walk of life we must make sure that we are prepared to enter into this wedding feast. There were those cast off from its midst because they dared not to wear their wedding garment. In other words these individuals refused to be converted to the truth of the Gospel and instead chose to continue to live a life which was contrary to it.
We are each called upon to strive to be saints. One cannot be numbered among the saints if they refuse to accept the mercy of God and refuse to allow their heart to be opened to conversion. The Church must continue to call us towards this encounter with truth and once we realize this truth we must come to embrace it without compromise.
There is nothing more that the devil wants to accomplish then causing discord. As our Epistle professed, “give not place to the devil.” It is the role of the Church to continue to form souls in matters of faith and morals, so that we may be found wearing that wedding garment. As GK Chesterton put it, “I don’t need a church to tell me I’m wrong where I already know I’m wrong; I need a Church to tell me I’m wrong where I think I’m right.”
Let us continue to hold firm to our faith. Let our hearts be lead into an encounter with Christ Jesus. Wherever sin is found let us move towards Him with a spirit of repentance opening our heart to His mercy. Where we are tempted may Christ and the gift of God’s grace be brought to our life. In this manner we will be found ready for that wedding feast for we will be found wearing that wedding garment.
Let us keep this garment unstained always.
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