The parable of the wedding banquet in the Gospel of Matthew (22:1-14) reveals the essential dynamics of spiritual life. It is a story of grace depicting God’s initiative to invite His people to participate in His life. It is grace first. The wedding banquet is an image of love, intimacy, covenant, relationship, fellowship and friendship. The goal of life is union with God, the only meaning of our living. He wants us to experience fullness of life by responding to His love. He invites us to feast and rejoice giving us the assurance that He will destroy death forever and wipe away the tears from every face. The banquet celebrates the definitive triumph of God’s kingdom at the end of time. He will fulfill all our needs as lavishly as only He can. The tragedy is our refusal to respond to God loving us. Grace is offered to us and we said no. Yet God continues to offer His grace which is open to all and free of charge. He wants the salvation of all. In the parable, the king took the initiative to organize a wedding banquet for his son. It points to God initiating the first step to invite us even if we don’t deserve the invitation. He wants us to participate in the wedding banquet because Jesus is the bridegroom and we are the bride. He is the marriage between God and man. The feast is ready and it highlights the generosity of God. He is never outdone in generosity. The call is urgent and the only time to respond is now. Salvation is today and not tomorrow. Yet some ignored the invitation and even maltreated the king’s servants. This is the central gravity of our refusal to say yes to God. We make excuses and become indifferent. God wants to be at the top of our list. The king was enraged and punished the murderers of his servants. This is a hyperbolic language which uses exaggerated language to make a point. We are deaf to spiritual realities and there is need to shout in order for us to hear and listen to God’s Word. The king sent his servants to invite everyone whomever they find good and bad alike. Those who were invited were not worthy to come. It points to the extravagance of God’s offer of grace. No exceptions are made. The invitation is extended to the gentiles, non believers, non Jews, social and religious outcast, tax collectors, prostitutes, sinners and the unclean. The parable of the wedding feast reveals God’s universal, excessive and extravagant love. It is an invitation to love. It points to the Eucharist which is also a meal and banquet. It prefigures the heavenly banquet. It is the source and summit of Christian life. It is real communion with all present. It is fellowship, friendship, intimacy and covenant. The tragedy is that we come to Mass and still we remain divided, fragmented and selfish. We are called to imitate the selfless love of Jesus giving all and loving to the end. The Church therefore is called to continue to offer this invitation to come to grace and eat the bread of the finest wheat. We are called to put on Christ and become another Christ in the world.
GOD’S UNIVERSAL LOVE
