The parable that we hear in St. Matthew’s Gospel today is similar to a parable told in St. Luke’s Gospel. There are a number of small differences between them when the two are looked at together. However, the biggest difference between them comes at the very end of St. Matthew’s version; namely, the expelling of the man who is improperly dressed.
This last portion of the parable is full of typically Matthean language and themes. On a narrative level ejection of the last minute guest who is not properly attired is entirely unrealistic. How would this one have been expected to be prepared for such an event? They pulled him into the feast from the streets. The answer to this lies in the way St. Matthew has changed the setting of the banquet. He has told us that this is a wedding feast given by the king for his Son, the bridegroom. St. Matthew has made this parable about the eschaton, the end of time.
The point that St. Matthew is making is that one must be ever ready for the arrival of the end-time banquet, clothed with good deeds and a life of faithful discipleship. Earlier in the Gospel, Jesus compared himself to the bridegroom. The prophets have compared God’s mountain to a heavenly feast. There is no such thing as not being ready to enter.
When the king greets his guest, he addresses him as “friend.” God has invited him to the banquet out of friendship. The improperly dressed guest has not responded fully to the invitation to God’s friendship. More is involved than simply showing up; one must be prepared to be a full participant in the banquet.
Each of us has received an invitation to the banquet given by the king. When the doors to the banquet hall are opened, we will need to be clothed and ready to sit at the table with God, with the bridegroom Jesus, and with all the saints of God’s kingdom.
Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator