A Poem a Sunday

Pentecost 19 – A

October 15, 2017

Matthew 22:1-14 - NRSV

The Parable of the Wedding Banquet

22: 1 Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: 2 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. 3 He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. 4 Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.’ 5 But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, 6 while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them.

7 The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. 8 Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’ 10 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.

11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, 12 and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.”

A Poem a Sunday

Pentecost 19 – A

Grace Spurned

The invitation goes out

to the chosen few

out of spite and jealously

rejecting the new

reign of God

which now gives room

at the abundant table

awaiting the Groom.

The Bride is prepared.

The Bride has come.

God’s people are called

by the Loving One.

The Groom, God’s people,

reject out of fear.

The Bride in love

now is here.

Imagine, O Jerusalem,

God’s heart’s delight,

making light of the invite

with vicious spite.

Grace spurned,

she is a jealous bride.

Now inviting the estranged

to be at her side.

So the Banquet

is open to those who respond.

“Come one, come all

and don the gown!”

Grace marries Mercy.

The Banquet is served.

But those who turn away

desert the living Word.

Copyright 2017 @ A Poem a Sunday

May be used with permission

kennstorck@gmail.com