In this confounding parable of the wedding banquet, we are reminded that God expects an earnest response to God's invitation.

READING

Matthew 22:1-14

Once more Jesus spoke to the people in parables, saying: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again 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.’ But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’ Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.

“But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?’ And he was speechless. Then 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.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.”

 

PRAYERS

Let us pray that we hear the call to come to the Lord’s banquet, rejoicing in that invitation into the Life of following Christ, adorning ourselves with compassion, joy, mercy, generosity and love of Jesus.

Let us pray in thanksgiving for one another, for the bonds of affection that we have in our families, in our neighbors and with our brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the world.

Let us pray for all those who are sick and suffering, who are waiting for diagnosis or procedure, who are in need of healing and cure.

Let us pray that the church will always be a place of sanctuary and peace for those who are lonely, suffering, persecuted, lost and search for relationship with God.

Let us pray for peace in our nation and in all nations that God will give us a sense of urgent purpose in bringing hope and prosperity to all the peoples of the world.

Let us pray for those leaving this life in faith and fear, that all may find a place in your eternal kingdom.

We offer all these prayers through Jesus Christ, our only strength and advocate.  Amen.