"The Parable of the Marriage Feast".
"In St Matthew;s Gospel, the ... parable that opens with these words is
that of the marriage feast of the king's son (22:1-14). A similar
parable in St Luke's Gospel (14:16-24) omits several elements found in
Matthew,and so it has often been considered a separate illustration ..."
(page 41.).
In this parable "the wedding garment signifies several things: the
guest's sincere preparation in view of the awesomeness of the occasion,
a change of heart, and most of all, letting God's love fill their hearts.
Again, the holy Fathers (St Gregory the Great, St Augustine, and St
John Chrysostom, for example) generally agree that the wedding
garment means love, and that love is essential for participation in
Christ's banquet of reconciliation - love from a pure heart, as St Paul
says (1 Tim 1:5), not selfish, not seeking its own, but sacrificial. This
message is surely addressed to all those who are in the Church, in its
crucial assembly, the Eucharist, or in any of its other activities, for
pride, vainglory, or love of power.
The parable ends with for many are called, but few are chosen. The
Lord invites all who are called. But even among those who accept the
invitation there are many who remain unchanged, unaffected, keeping
their "old garments" on, going "their ways". [p. 44.].
THE PARABLES: Biblical, Patristic and Liturgical Interpretation. by
Archbishop Dmitri. Crestwood, NY: St Vladimir's Seminary Press,
1996.
God save us all and keep us in His love. Amen.
In Erie PA USA Scott R. Harrington December 2011 AD
"In St Matthew;s Gospel, the ... parable that opens with these words is
that of the marriage feast of the king's son (22:1-14). A similar
parable in St Luke's Gospel (14:16-24) omits several elements found in
Matthew,and so it has often been considered a separate illustration ..."
(page 41.).
In this parable "the wedding garment signifies several things: the
guest's sincere preparation in view of the awesomeness of the occasion,
a change of heart, and most of all, letting God's love fill their hearts.
Again, the holy Fathers (St Gregory the Great, St Augustine, and St
John Chrysostom, for example) generally agree that the wedding
garment means love, and that love is essential for participation in
Christ's banquet of reconciliation - love from a pure heart, as St Paul
says (1 Tim 1:5), not selfish, not seeking its own, but sacrificial. This
message is surely addressed to all those who are in the Church, in its
crucial assembly, the Eucharist, or in any of its other activities, for
pride, vainglory, or love of power.
The parable ends with for many are called, but few are chosen. The
Lord invites all who are called. But even among those who accept the
invitation there are many who remain unchanged, unaffected, keeping
their "old garments" on, going "their ways". [p. 44.].
THE PARABLES: Biblical, Patristic and Liturgical Interpretation. by
Archbishop Dmitri. Crestwood, NY: St Vladimir's Seminary Press,
1996.
God save us all and keep us in His love. Amen.
In Erie PA USA Scott R. Harrington December 2011 AD