How can we make sense of Gospel lesson that if we read it closely, seems to be manifestly unfair? The parable that Jesus tells in the portion Matthew’s Gospel read this week speaks of a King, who having been humiliated by his subjects, commands that the everyday people, bystanders essentially, be marched into his feast. One person doesn’t behave as expected to this forced summons; whether by simple failure or as an act of rebellion. The King confronts the person, ejects the miscreant from the feast with a sentence of eternal punishment – a person who was forced, against their will to a Wedding Feast to which they were not initially invited.

You can read the commentaries and sense the broad and historical confusion about this lesson. Some argue that it is two loosely connected parables presented as one. Some argue that the King would have provided garments for the guests. Some just skim by this and focus on what comes next.

I think the tension, as uncomfortable as it may be, is important. It is a mistake, to my mind, to imagine that every parable has a simple and edifying meaning. The discomfort may be the point, and letting that discomfort remain within us, allows the Spirit to form a great pearl in our souls as we struggle with things we don’t easily understand.

At any rate, it’s clear that God’s invitation, and our response, are of much more importance than many of us are willing to, or want to, recognize. And sitting with that truth may be the best we can do with this right now.

You can view the sermon directly at this link.