28th Sunday, Ordinary Time

 


28TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME 


If we were to assign a flavor to the readings this weekend, we would start off with the category of sweet, and then we would transition into the category of sour. Isaiah and Paul team up to provide the sweet element: we’re treated to a prophecy about the mountain-top in Isaiah (25:6-10); and we learn something about the subject of inner strength as we listen to this message from St. Paul (Phil. 4:13). The Gospel meanwhile, builds on the banquet imagery laid out in that first reading. However, the banquet in Matt. 22 is being identified as a particular kind of banquet: namely, a wedding banquet. This needs to be understood as a parable, pointing ahead, foretelling the final chapter to be chronicled in the story of salvation. A wedding banquet would seem to qualify as something sweet. Yet, in this instance, the sweet taste gives way to a sour taste. 


First of all, the invited guests have chosen not to appear. Then, when we finally have people showing up, the king decides to create a scene. One of the attendees has violated the dress code. The king refuses to let it pass. He confronts the individual and subsequently has him expelled (Matt. 22:13). As readers, we’re left to wonder: why come down so hard on the poor fellow? Why should the king be so bothered about the man’s manner of dress? Why does he feel the need to take such a harsh approach? 


Perhaps an illustration will bring us some sense of context. Imagine that it’s 1973. Tony Orlando is singing about a relationship that has reached a critical juncture. If a yellow ribbon is being displayed, this will signify that the relationship has a future. Conversely, the absence of a ribbon means that the relationship has officially expired. When the moment of truth arrives, we hear that no less than one hundred ribbons have been prominently put in place. A message is therefore being proclaimed: and it translates into an overwhelmingly optimistic message. 


Just as the ribbon signifies something, we can say that the choice of a garment signifies something—it signifies the spirit of the occasion. Keep in mind that the event outlined in Matt. 22 has been revealed as a wedding banquet. This refers to the final consummation of the human story. We who make up the church are to be presented to the Lord, much in the same way that a bride anticipates being presented to her groom. The ultimate relationship faces what could be called the ultimate critical juncture. Is it our desire that the relationship be finalized? If so, then you will want to make it clear: adorn yourself appropriately. 


The lack of a wedding garment can be compared to the lack of a yellow ribbon. You have signaled that you no longer value this relationship. It’s not a priority. It doesn’t need to move forward, as far as you are concerned. On the other hand, if you’re thinking that you might want to salvage your relationship with the Lord, then live as if you are looking forward to that final consummation. Be among those who are dressed for the occasion. Display the equivalent of a yellow ribbon when it’s time for that ultimate banquet to get underway. 

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