On the Back Porch
28th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A
What We Celebrate
This well-known parable is the third of three parables within a single section of Matthew’s gospel. All the parables raise the question of rightful authority to interpret and proclaim God’s word. All three call for obedience, a change of heart, and bearing fruit in one’s life. But the parable of the Great Wedding Feast extends the teaching to indicate a time for obedience and choosing is approaching. The inheritance of Israel may be squandered, the Gentiles invited in – but they too must answer the call to obedience and faithfulness – and dress themselves in the robes of righteousness.
Like all parables, it is to speak to the heart of the hearer. Are you dressed and ready for the invitation?
There is a lot more to this gospel. Sit with it for a moment on the back porch.
Full Text of the Sunday Readings
Detailed Commentary on the Gospel
Parable of the Great Banquet by Brunswick Monogrammist (circa 1525) National Museum, Warsaw | Public Domain
Covenants
The vineyard appears in Scripture many times. What does it represent? In the Prophet Isaiah it represents Israel and the promised land. But even that is but a representation of a deeper thing: the Covenant with God. What is a covenant? It is not the same as a “contract.” Where a contract exchanges goods and services for some consideration, a covenant is an exchange of persons. Each gives themselves to the other, whole and complete, without reservation. Such is the nature and goal of marriage. Such is the more fundamental covenant of God with people. In the Bible, humans continually fail as God’s covenant partners, until Jesus came to fulfill what we could not, restoring us to relationship with God.