24 years ago this Monday my wife and I, both of us aspiring pastors, got married on the Saturday of fall break from her senior year in seminary. Rather than pick scripture specifically for our wedding, we let the assigned readings for the Sunday be the readings for our Saturday wedding.

“Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet!” - Matthew 22:9

Yes, this Sunday’s reading includes a wedding feast to which everyone is invited, and it seemed wonderfully appropriate for our nuptials. We got married in Philadelphia’s historic Germantown neighborhood, and even placed an A-frame sign on the busy sidewalk, inviting passers-by to join us for the service and reception.

Food is often an image of God’s provision and abundance. Psalm 23 describes a table set before us by God, and Isaiah 25 promises a feast of rich food and well-aged wines for all peoples in God’s promised future.

I'm not preaching this weekend - so I'm not studying these texts this week like I usually do - but here's a few brief reflections on Sunday's readings:

  • Isaiah 25 - this is one of my favorites! The prophet describes a promised banquet feast that is "for all people." There will be rich food and well-aged wines. A prior translation promised "fatty foods." But it's not just the food - as awesome as that is. Gathered at this table will be "all people," and this feast is not a mere meal, but a symbol of the future reign of God in which death is no more. "God will swallow up death forever" and will "wipe away the tears from all faces." This image of the whole world gathering to feast and live - forever - in the presence of God and one another is just ... amazing. Every day I look forward to this future feast, and I am beyond grateful that we get a glimpse and a taste of this future feast each Sunday in Holy Communion.

  • Psalm 23 - classic! What is not to like about Psalm 23? This psalm is embedded in our cultural psyche. Walking through the "darkest valley" and the presence of enemeies signal to us that the psalmist is in some sort of danger. Yet, the psalm evokes a confidence in God's care and protection, no matter what dangers lie ahead. God sets a table before us, even in the face of our enemies. Perhaps, even, the enemies get a seat at the table, too, where God's abundant grace transforms enemies into beloved friends.

  • Philippians 4 - there's a wonderful, calming tone to this passage. "Let your gentleness be known." "Do not be anxious." And - most importantly - vs 7: "The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Take note of that word "surpasses." God's peace is greater than, and of more value than, our understanding. Knowledge is important, and we should certainly seek to understand the things of God and of this world. Yet ... even greater than our understanding is God's peace. When we are at risk of getting axious about all-the-things, let us seek to trust in God's peace, which will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.

  • Matthew 22 - the great invitation in this parable - "invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet" is what led my wife and I to select these readings for our wedding. The story isn't all joy and abundance, however. Near the end of the parabale the king - the banquet's host - found a guest who was not wearing a proper wedding robe. The king throws him out for not being appropriately garbed for the wedding! This is not about clothing, of course. Jesus' parables are often told with exaggerated hyperbole and rich symbolism to make certain points clear. The robe is perhaps a symbol of faithful and righteous living. If that is the case, the guest accepted the invitation (the grace) but then failed to live according to that grace. The parable, then, serves as a warning. All are invited - "both good and bad." Accepting the invitation calls for a new kind of life - a life lived in the grace and mercy of God.

Beloved, let us rejoice (Philippians 4:4) in the Lord, who provides abundantly and invites everyone to his eternal banquet feast. Turning our hearts to God's grace, we are then empowered to receive and extend God's mercy in all things.

Peace be with you.