Repentance, joyful expectation, and humble service to others

 

 

1Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: 2“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. 3He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. 4Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.’ 5But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, 6while the rest seized his slaves, maltreated them, and killed them. 7The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. 8Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’ 10Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.

11“But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, 12and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?’ And he was speechless. 13Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Matthew 22:1-14

 

The Parable of the Wedding Feast

PLATZER, Johann Georg

1737

Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts

Moscow

Russia

EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases "The Parable of the Wedding Feast, 1737" by Johann Georg Platzer. The painting, housed in the esteemed State A. Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow, transports viewers to a world of religious symbolism and Renaissance artistry. Platzer's masterpiece depicts a scene from the New Testament's parable where guests are invited to a grand wedding feast. The artist skillfully captures the essence of this biblical story through his meticulous brushwork and use of vibrant colors. In this composition, we see various figures central to Christianity: Mary, Joseph, and Jesus Christ himself. The Virgin Mary radiates grace as she cradles her divine child while Saint Joseph stands beside them with reverence. Surrounding them are apostles and saints who play significant roles in biblical history. The painting also features John the Baptist as a child or "John the Forerunner, " emphasizing his pivotal role as he prepares for Christ's arrival. This inclusion adds depth to the narrative and highlights Platzer's attention to detail. Through its oil on canvas technique and Carracci-inspired style from Bolognese School, this artwork exemplifies Mannerism at its finest. It is an exquisite representation of religious devotion during that era. As you admire this photo print, let yourself be transported back in time to witness not only an artistic masterpiece but also a profound spiritual tale brought to life by Platzer's skilled hand. 

https://www.mediastorehouse.com/heritage-images/parable-wedding-feast-1737-14888578.html

 

 

 

 

 

I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true.

I am not bound to succeed, 

but I am bound to live by the light that I have.

I must stand with anybody that stands right,

and stand with him while he is right,

and part with him when he goes wrong.

~ Abraham Lincoln

 

 

 

 

When you have to make 

a choice and don’t make it,

that is in itself a choice.

~ William James

 

 

 

 

 

Church of the Hills last Sunday

 

Peace Team meeting at the Moore's

Bob Rose, David Sheesley

 

Carolyn Alexander, Terri Baulesh, Amy Kuberski, Terri Heldt at Creekside

Both Terri and Terri are parents of former students.

What fun to hear about grown-up students!

 

Gilpin County Arts Association in Central City, Colorado

 

Nancy Priest with her painting, “Faded Ballerinas."

 

Carolyn Martyn, Johanna Morrell, Pat Foster, Nancy Priest,

Sheryl Wasinger, Carolyn Alexander

 

Johanna Morrell is ready for Halloween!!!

 

Nancy Priest, Pat Foster

 

AND … since we were in Central City, we had to do

a bit of gambling.  It is certainly different from

the last time I was there!!!

 

 

 

 

There is a pit deep in the stomach that comes from 

trying to reconcile the irreconcilable.

~ Dan Rather*

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 15, 2023  Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 23 Year A

 

Previous OPQs may be found at:

 

* Also from Dan Rather:

        "We can keep hope alive that something good can arise from this hellscape."

 

Agnus Day, by James Wetzstein

Agnus Day appears with the permission of www.agnusday.org

 

 

Remembering

 

Mike Mehmert

Husband of Laura Mehmert

Left this life on October 12, 2023

 

 

 

LECTIONARY

Exodus 32:1–14 

Psalm 106:1–6, 19–23 

Philippians 4:1–9 

Matthew 22:1–14

 

Summary

The parable of the wedding feast shifts the focus from the Jews who reject God to those who accept him under false pretenses. The one who not only accepts Christ’s free gift of grace but clothes himself in his righteousness will be saved (cf. 7:21) Works of mercy are not ours alone but are empowered by the Holy Spirit. The guest does not earn his garment, but rather is “chosen” (cf. Eph. 2:10).

The thing to emphasize is how, although it may feel like effort, our good works flow from our participation in Christ, rather than our best efforts alone. The result of the invitation is a changed life and a new identity, which may set us apart on earth, but is the ordinary dress of the Kingdom of Heaven.

https://www.preachingtoday.com/lectionary/

 

THE WORD:

Jesus’ parable of the wedding feast is another illustration of Israel’s rejection of God’s promise.  The invitation is therefore extended to everyone – Gentiles, foreigners and those who do not know God – to come to the Lord’s table.  (Matthew’s readers would see the “destruction of those murderers” and the “burning of their city” as references to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 A.D.)

Jesus tells a second parable within the parable of the wedding feast.  The wedding garment is the conversion of heart and mind required for entry into the kingdom.  The Christian who does not wear this mantle of repentance and good deeds will suffer the same fate as those who reject outright the invitation to the wedding.  As the apostle Paul writes (Romans 13: 14), we must “put on” the garment of Christ.

HOMILY POINTS:

God has invited each of us to his Son’s wedding feast: the fullness of God’s life in the resurrection.  The only obstacle is our inability to hear his invitation amid the noisy activity that consumes our time and attention.

God invites all his children to his table – distinctions drawn according to economic class or influence, discrimination by race or origin, reservations due to mental or physical ability disappear at the banquet of the Father.  In order to be able to take our own place at God’s table, we must first realize God’s vision for the human family at our own tables. 

The parables of the king’s wedding feast and wedding garment confront us with the reality that we cannot be Christian without conversion; we cannot come to the feast of heaven while remaining indifferent to the empty plates before so many of the world's children; we cannot love the God we cannot see if we cannot love those we can see.  

The wedding garment of today’s Gospel is the garment of good works we make for ourselves for the Lord’s banquet: the garment sewn of repentance, joyful expectation and humble service to others.

https://connectionsmediaworks.com/sundaygospel.html#oct15

 

 

 

 

First Reading Exodus 32:1-14

1When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered around Aaron, and said to him, “Come, make gods for us, who shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” 2Aaron said to them, “Take off the gold rings that are on the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” 3So all the people took off the gold rings from their ears, and brought them to Aaron. 4He took the gold from them, formed it in a mold, and cast an image of a calf; and they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” 5When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation and said, “Tomorrow shall be a festival to the LORD.” 6They rose early the next day, and offered burnt offerings and brought sacrifices of well-being; and the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to revel.

7The LORD said to Moses, “Go down at once! Your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have acted perversely; 8they have been quick to turn aside from the way that I commanded them; they have cast for themselves an image of a calf, and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!’” 9The LORD said to Moses, “I have seen this people, how stiff-necked they are. 10Now let me alone, so that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them; and of you I will make a great nation.”

11But Moses implored the LORD his God, and said, “O LORD, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? 12Why should the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that he brought them out to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from your fierce wrath; change your mind and do not bring disaster on your people. 13Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, how you swore to them by your own self, saying to them, ‘I will multiply your descendants like the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.’” 14And the LORD changed his mind about the disaster that he planned to bring on his people.

Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23

1   Praise the Lord! 
          O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; 
          for his steadfast love endures forever. 
2   Who can utter the mighty doings of the Lord, 
          or declare all his praise? 
3   Happy are those who observe justice, 
          who do righteousness at all times.

4   Remember me, O Lord, when you show favor to your people; 
          help me when you deliver them; 
5   that I may see the prosperity of your chosen ones, 
          that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation, 
          that I may glory in your heritage.

6   Both we and our ancestors have sinned; 
          we have committed iniquity, have done wickedly. 

19  They made a calf at Horeb 
          and worshiped a cast image. 
20  They exchanged the glory of God 
          for the image of an ox that eats grass. 
21  They forgot God, their Savior, 
          who had done great things in Egypt, 
22  wondrous works in the land of Ham, 
          and awesome deeds by the Red Sea. 
23  Therefore he said he would destroy them — 
          had not Moses, his chosen one, 
     stood in the breach before him, 
          to turn away his wrath from destroying them.

Second Reading Philippians 4:1-9

1Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

2I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Gospel Matthew 22:1-14

1Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: 2“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. 3He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. 4Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.’ 5But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, 6while the rest seized his slaves, maltreated them, and killed them. 7The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. 8Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’ 10Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.

11“But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, 12and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?’ And he was speechless. 13Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14For many are called, but few are chosen.”