Disrespected

Have you ever held an event and worried that people wouldn't come?

Once more Jesus spoke to the people in parables, saying: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. 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.’ But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’ 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. “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?’ And he was speechless. 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.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.” - Matthew 22:1-14

Lately, I find myself reluctant to say "Yes" to invitations, so that I don't disappoint someone if I have to back out at the last minute.

Before health issues for me and for my wife messed with our calendars, making treatments and doctors' appointments a priority, I would have made every effort to fulfill a request and keep a commitment.  

But now, I see that there are times when plans need to change.

In today's reading, though, the people don't give reasons for refusing to come.  They just ignore the invitation or make light of it.

This story is all about respect.  First the invited don't come and then someone who comes refuses to respect the king's wishes and put on a wedding robe, as was the custom.

I guess the act of disrespecting others is not new.  It existed in Jesus' time, and he was one to whom others failed to give respect.

Several of the parables touch on this lack of respect for God and his messengers

I guess what it boils down to is a sense that I am more important than you.

The ego speaks and we listen.

If we pay close attention, we see that even Jesus warned that this approach leads to death and violence.  People kill the messengers and eventually, the son.

So, this is not about a wedding feast.  It is about teaching one another to hate.

More to come...