Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Oct. 12, 2014
The guest with no garment at the wedding feast.
First Reading: Exodus 32:1-14
The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph have escaped slavery in Egypt. They have crossed the Red Sea, and received manna and water to slake their hunger and thirst. They have received the 10 Commandments at Mount Sinai and made covenant with God. But now things have gone badly wrong. The people, scared by Sinai’s smoke and thunder, are afraid that Moses won’t come back, so they break their brand-new commandments by worshipping a golden calf! God, righteously outraged, threatens to destroy the people and start over. But Moses pleads for the people, and God’s mind is changed. God’s abundant love flows to a people who may not deserve it, but who will be forgiven over and over again.
Psalm: Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23
The Psalmist looks back at the people’s wickedness in worshipping the golden calf, throwing away the great gift that they had just received. They forgot God, their Savior, who had watched over them in Egypt and brought them safely across the Red Sea and through the desert. They deserved destruction, the Psalmist sings, but Moses stood up for them and turned God’s wrath aside.
Psalm (Track 2): Psalm 23
And now, in the beloved 23rd Psalm, we sing of that very deep and abundant love, of God’s trusted protection. Our Good Shepherd who is always with us, comforting us and protecting us not only in the green pastures and still waters of good times, but even in those frightening times when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death.
Second Reading: Philippians 4:1-9
Paul now speaks to a specific pastoral issue in the church at Philippi. Two women, Euodia and Syntyche, have been quarreling. Paul doesn’t address their dispute, but simply urges them to “be of the same mind” in Christ, perhaps suggesting that they ask, “What would Jesus do?” He calls the congregation to help restore peace and unity, reminding them that the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and our minds in Jesus.
Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14
What is Jesus is trying to teach us about the kingdom of heaven? This parable reminds us of the wicked tenants in last week’s Gospel, who defied the person in charge and casually killed his messengers. Here the king, angry at those who didn’t show up for his son’s wedding banquet – some of whom even killed the slaves sent to invite them – brings people off the street instead. Then, when one of them ungratefully refuses to put on a wedding garment, he’s tossed out into the darkness, too. We’re all invited to the kingdom of heaven, it seems. But even as welcomed guests, we’re expected to don the wedding garment by following Jesus’ way.