Wedding Banquets and Surprise Guests

"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." - Matthew 22:8-10

Anna and I have recently been attending a Lutheran congregation in Pasadena, and like all good Lutheran churches the main thrust of the service comes during the Gospel reading. Today was no different, and we all rose to hear the reading of Jesus' parable about the wedding banquet in Matthew 22. It is a curious text, but the pastor handedly it deftly today - allowing the joy of grace and the complexity of human nature to remain equally stated and equally true. But what the pastor pointed out today that REALLY got my attention was in verse 10 where it plainly states that "both good and bad" filll the wedding hall after the official guests (i.e. - the privileged priests) violently refuse the King's invitation. As the pastor said, this is just one of the many illustrations of Jesus' willingness to go out of his way to invite the outcasts and sinners into his fellowship.

However, there were other elements of the service that reinforced this message time and again. For instance, the church has two large banners in the front of the sanctuary with one of them reading, "Everyone is welcome." Likewise, the opening hymn of the liturgical service always begins with the refrain, "All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place." Or again, the Apostle's Creed is read after the sermon, which boldly proclaims that Jesus descended into hell (a definite act of triumph but perhaps also reconciliation).

The attitude of the whole service is very clearly about new life, grace, unity and love - even if these words are never said directly. It is quite enriching and encouraging to be saturated by such good things. But, this morning, I was particularly struck by the communion meal, which is celebrated every Sunday in the Lutheran tradition. It is but ONE more example of new life, grace and love, and today it captured my attention. For one, it struck me because of the unity it symbolizes (or actualizes depending on your views) between God and God's people as well as with the unity of believers. I took great comfort this morning knowing that friends and family share this meal with me on a monthly basis. It helped eliminate a disconcerted feeling of unconnectedness. It is one element of life that I genuinely feel can transcend distance.

And secondly, the communion meal struck me because of how radically different it is - how much it reveals about God's character. Here I must back up to Matthew 22 and Jesus' parable about the wedding feast. It is indeed a parable about grace, but unfortunately it is also a parable about human stubborness, and how often humanity feels it can do without God (ala the Grand Inquisitor). Indeed, the religious people God had originally intended to celebrate the upcoming wedding are the very ones who are seeking to ruin the party. This is where the pastor's words jumped out at me. He said this parable illustrates two trends: human beings who get so wrapped up in deciding right and wrong that they dismiss and vilify God's servants OR a God whose power and mystery is so great that He is able to overcome evil and injustice and still create a celebration. One could easily view the whole Bible in this light. I do.

When the communion meal is taken in accordance with the second trend, than it becomes a meal of God's victory. It is meal which celebrates redemption and reconciliation. It is also fundamentally different than many other ideas of how God is pleased. Instead of the need to satiate or feed God with our obedience, enemy blood, or moral living, it is about the desire to satiate or feed us with God's grace and love; the humble King wins out.

These were good things for me to remember today. I hope they are for you too.

Wes