If you wish to read the text click here: Ezekiel 36:23-28; Mt 22:1-14
The second part of the parable
of the Wedding Feast has often troubled many, because they are not able to
understand why the one without the wedding clothes was cast out, when a few
verses below the servants are told to go out and invite both good and bad. The
question that arises is - How could those unexpectedly herded into the
wedding feast from the streets wear the expected clothing, which all but one
seem to do? The point is that realism is sacrificed to theological meaning. In
early Christianity, the new identity of conversion was often pictured as
donning a new set of clothes, the language of changing clothes was used to
express the giving up of old ways and adopting the new Christian identity (see
Rom 13:12-14; Gal 3:27; Eph 6:11). The man was thus expected to have the deeds
of an authentic Christian, which he does not have.
We sometimes attend the
Eucharistic banquet without the appropriate garb, which is a faith that shows
itself in action. This “dead faith” renders us unworthy, and in danger of being
“cast out”. Unless we can show through our deeds that we are Christians, our
celebration of the Eucharist will remain at the theoretical and ritualistic
level, having no relevance to our lives.
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