Today's gospel, 21 Aug: Parable of the invitation to the wedding feast

 

Matthew 22:1-14

Once more Jesus spoke to them 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, maltreated 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.’

A wedding feast and celebration

The Scream, Edvard Munch, 1893

Public domain, via Wikipedia

Comment on the reading

This is a challenging reading, in which Jesus seems to be warning that not everyone will enter the kingdom of heaven (= the kingdom of God). It raises several commonly asked questions, including "What is heaven?" and "Who gets in to it (heaven)?". 

A danger is that we interpret the parable and its elements literally and fail to take into consideration the context - that is, the historical context and religious and political climate and happenings at the time of writing. Noteworthy also is Jesus' frequent use of hyperbole (exaggeration not intended to be taken literally) to dramatic effect and to drive home a point; for example, the reader can be distracted and feel 'spooked' by the phrase "there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth", which appears several times in Matthew and is typically associated with exclusion. We can all too easily miss the primary point and good news. 

The key point of the parable is first that this king invites all and sundry to the wedding banquet. The invitation is universal, but many ignore, neglect or reject the invitation. Similarly, we are all invited to turn to Christ and to come home to God who loves us. God, as described by Jesus, is the God who goes out of his way to include. 

There is a 'wedding', a party, a celebration of God's love and generosity as shown to humanity and the whole of creation in all that the Lord has done for us in Christ, and we are all invited. 

And what is the correct attire? 

 "... My soul shall be joyful in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels." (Isaiah 61:10)

And... "the righteousness of God [is] through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. (See Romans 3:22-23)

Sacred Space

You can find a short reflection and one interpretation of the gospel reading here:

https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2025-08-21/

Christian Art

You can find a reflection on the gospel reading and a well-known painting here:

https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-22-1-14-2025/

Pastoral care and enquiries:  

083 800 3233    

Email  aughaval@tuam.anglican.org        

Aughaval Parishes' Website   aughaval.tlk.ie

Notices for next weekend, 23-24 August

Sat 23 August 

- Return to Inishbiggle. Gathering at Dorian's Point, Ballycroy, at 9.30am for 10am departure by currach (open boat) to the island. Returning around 2.30 or 3pm. 

Please note that the church will be closed on this occasion on account of work that is being undertaken. The service will be either on the beach or in the old school, depending on weather.

To book or for more information, please contact us at the number or email address below, and please bring a packed lunch on the day. 

Sat 23 August 

- 7pm in Turlough Church, Service of Holy Communion

Sunday 24 August 

- 10am, Morning Prayer in Christ Church Castlebar

- 12 noon, Service of Holy Communion (for Holy Trinity Westport congregation and visitors) in St Mary's Church, Westport (South Mall). 

- 3 - 5pm, Aughaval Group All Parishes Afternoon Out, meeting in Turlough at the National Museum of Ireland carpark. Please bring picnic food for you and your family, and perhaps a little to spare for anyone who may come without. Thank you. Everyone is welcome, including friends and family members. 

- 3pm in St Thomas's Dugort, Achill - Evening Prayer

Regular Service Pattern 

Turlough Parish Church: Saturdays weekly at 7pm. Holy Communion on 2nd and 4th of month; Evening Prayer on 1st and 3rd Sundays.

Christ Church Castlebar: Sundays weekly at 10am. Holy Communion on 1st and 3rd of month; Morning Prayer, 2nd and 4th, followed by tea.

Holy Trinity Westport: Sundays weekly, currently in St Mary's Church, South Mall, at 12 noon, followed by tea/coffee in Carrowbeg House.

St Thomas's Dugort, Achill: Sundays weekly (April to Sept incl.) at 3pm

Open Church Weekly Drop-in, Christ Church Castlebar, Fridays 11am -1pm.

Midweek Holy Communion, Wednesdays at 10.30am in St Mary’s Church, Westport, followed by coffee in Clew Bay Hotel from 11.05 am. (However, please see note below re. August.)

• Online Prayer and Bible Study, Weds at 8pm. (However, please see note below re. August.)

Please note that during the remainder of August there will be no Midweek Holy Communion services and no Online Prayer meetings.