This Sunday’s Gospel ends on a wrenching note. “Many are invited, but few are chosen” That doesn’t sound too Christ-like to me. And unfortunately it is one of those lines in the Bible that is often misread, misunderstood and misused. So how is this Good News? Is it true that only a few are “chosen?” And what is meaning behind this parable that calls us to make a choice in our lives? Check it out!

1. 12 October 2014 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Princeton, NJ
Well, that Gospel ended on a wrenching note. “Many are invited, but few are chosen?” That
doesn’t sound too Christ-like to me. And unfortunately it is one of those lines in the Bible that is
often misread, misunderstood and misused – in two main ways. It is cited by some who feel it
necessary to exclude people from the Church and...it is used as the mantra by those who are
convinced that the Kingdom of Heaven is something that has to be earned – that only the few
who to jump through the right hoops will be “chosen.”
I thought it interesting that while preparing my thoughts for this morning that the Church gives
the homilist the option of reading a shorter version of this Gospel that deletes the final verses,
making the parable a bit easier to swallow. But why do that? For once you take a look at what
is really happening, the deeper meaning and the true message of Christ comes forth.
So as with other parables, we need to step back and take a look at the context of where and to
whom this parable was given. Jesus is back in Jerusalem and teaching in the temple. And the
Chief Priests and Pharisees confront the Christ asking him who gave him his authority to teach
as he does. As usual, Jesus answers the question with a question - but then tells them three
parables, all focused on “choices made.” Jesus is attempting to get their attention to think
differently, choose differently and to open their eyes to his teachings of the Kingdom of God.
We began this triptych of parables two weeks ago and each story builds upon the other as
Jesus uses words and imagery to jolt the Priests and Pharisees, culminating with the shocking
ending of today’s Gospel – the words of exclusion – that only some are “chosen.” This concept
of God supposedly choosing some and not others was something deeply rooted in the beliefs of
the Pharisees. But the point that Jesus is making is that it is not God who is doing the choosing
– it is all of us. See what I mean…
This week we listened to the last of the three parables with the familiar story of the wedding
banquet. And in first century Jerusalem it was customary that the one throwing the wedding
would send out save-the-date notices - similar to what we do today. Then as the wedding drew
nearer another invitation would be sent out. Some even say that it was the tradition for the
person throwing the party, as a gift, to provide clothing for everyone to wear. And with the King
being the host of the wedding you would have to assume that anyone who is anybody – the ‘A’
list - those who were expected to come: they were the ones invited first.
But no one comes. So the King sends out his servants to remind those on the list to come to
the feast. But all those invited decided not to come…and some of them even killed the
messenger-servants. So in retribution, the King sends out his troops to slay those murderers
and burn their cities.
Knowing that he still has a feast waiting to be tasted, the King decides that this first batch of
invitations must have been sent out to those unworthy. So he sends his servants out again, this
time to invite any one they can find: good and bad alike – (people like you and me!) And soon
the hall is filled with all kinds of people. But one character decides to show up without wearing
the wedding clothes he was most likely given. To not accept the gift and wear the clothes was
rude and offensive. Thus he didn’t pay the slightest respect for host and, in his own way,
decides not to fully accept the invitation that was given to him.
Keep in mind that this story is being directed right at the religious leaders standing in front of
Jesus. They are insisting that they are God's gatekeepers and will determine who gets in and
1 Deacon Jim Knipper

2. who doesn't. And they have no interest in listening to Jesus’s teachings about love,
compassion and inclusion. In this story they are the ones that are really being likened to the
King – not God. Jesus is comparing this king, who is driven by vengeance and exclusion, with
his own peaceable kingdom that operates on an entirely different principle of mercy. The two
are radically different.
These last few verses of the story, who some feel were added in as part of another parable, was
Christ's way of saying to them that they, too, have been invited but are too arrogant, too focused
on their position of power and too focused on fostering a culture of separation.
So what are we supposed to walk away with? What is the message for us this morning?
Actually the answer was given to us in the first reading...
"On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and
choice wines. And the Lord God will wipe away the tears from every face."
Clearly the feast is provided to all people.
Maybe that was one of the points Pope Francis was making when he presided over the
weddings of 20 couples in a historic ceremony last month at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
Notably, among the couples married at the Mass were some who had children, some who were
already cohabitating, and some who were previously married. In an act of compassion, Francis
married couples whose circumstances reflected the reality of modern sexual and marital habits.
This is particularly noteworthy in light of the current Synod on the Family taking place in Rome -
a gathering which is finally exploring how the Church can better respond to the many challenges
of family life with mercy and compassion. As with so many things our Pope has done in the
past year – it is aimed as an invitation to all people to have Christ as center of their life.
That is the core take-away to today’s Gospel. The invitation is there for all – but the choice is
yours as to what you want to do with it. You can decide to opt out of the King’s wedding – and
choose to be miserable, selfish, judging others and reject the invitation to the banquet. But
despite what you do - God is still throwing a party, and we are all invited. The feast will continue
with or without you.
I can stand up here and preach till my heart's content about God's love - but it always carries
the footnote that we are the ones who need to respond to that invitation with love, joy,
compassion, generosity and pure surrender. Our response matters. Our behavior matters. Our
participation matters. Our intentions matter. Our actions matter.
The Kingdom of God is not something to be earned….rather it is here and now.
It is your call – your choice.
You decide.
2 Deacon Jim Knipper