In the midst of all the publicity surrounding the British Royal wedding this year, in my mind I have a picture of a socialite waving an invitation, absolutely ecstatic that she had been invited. It was a time of happiness and joy, and as many weddings are, and an occasion to cement social and political ties among families and countries.
The wedding feast in the gospel is similar. It was a big occasion, and opportunity to show that everyone in the land was reconciled and happy together. That is why the king reacted so strongly when some of his people refused to come to the wedding. This was open defiance and a declaration of war, hence his reaction.
As with many of the stories of Jesus, there was an open and closed version. The open version is clear. The closed version, that which would have only been understood by Christians living around 80-110AD, is about baptism. The early church looked on this parable as a story about baptism, at a time when it was very dangerous to be baptised.
Yesterday I asked a young boy what baptism was, and he answered me that it was getting closer to Jesus. He is right and for his age that I just the answer I wanted. However, when we are adults, the answer becomes a little more involved, just as life becomes a little more complex. Baptism is about a lot more than the good feeling of becoming closer to Jesus. Baptism was serious business, and it still is today, with direct consequences in certain parts of the world. Recently an Egyptian told me that in his country Christians cannot be in the government, military or police: nothing like this happens in Australia. It does not have the consequences of the early church where submitting to baptism could well condemn a person to social exclusion and persecution, but it does have the consequences of changing our lives in this life and the next.
The parable tells us of those who were too busy to come, a clear reference to the Jewish people of Jesus time who chose not to accept him. He then went to the Gentiles, to those who were not Jewish and were not the chosen people. Many of them understood the king and accepted the invitation, knowing the love and commitment that was required. The wedding garment signifies the love. St Augustine, writing in 400, says Listen to him: If I give away all I have to the poor, if I hand over my body to be burnt, but have no love, it will avail me nothing. So this is what the wedding garment is. Examine yourselves to see whether you possess it. If you do, your place at the Lord’s Table is secure. (Sermon 90,5-6)
Augustine wrote at a time of persecution, when faith was challenged and many fell away. Without love we cannot sustain our commitment to Christ and we fall, just like those who are described as without a wedding garment.
We come today because of our commitment and desire to deepen our love for Christ as guest as the banquet.
May God strengthen, sustain and guide us!
Homily 9th October 2011, 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, OLQP Broome.
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