Wedding Robe – Reflection on Matthew 22:1-14
God continuously broadcasts the invitation to join in the preview of heaven of here and now. With so many other choices, many people do not recognize the opportunity to do so. Some people are curious, only experiencing its surface and leaving because pursuing it does not appear desirable. Some begin to dance but abandon the reception because unmasking personal layers of vices is challenging. To stay long enough to enjoy the feast requires forgiveness, preparation, endurance, letting go, gratefulness, and acceptance of wearing Christ’s wedding robe.
The Chief Priests Ask Jesus by What Right Does He Act in This Way by James Tissot (full resolution)
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Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Matthew 22:1-4 – Scripture*
The Parable of the Wedding Banquet
Once 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. 3 He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. 4 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.’ 5 But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, 6 while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. 7 The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. 8 Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’ 10 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.
11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, 12 and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?’ And he was speechless. 13 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.’ 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Matthew 22:1-14 Reflection – Christ’s Wedding Robe.
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Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities experience your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite the world’s distractions.
Attributions
This site has written permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Matthew 22 passage.
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Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: Wedding Robe
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