Collect for Trinity 19
O God our Father without you we are not able to please you;
Mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Philippians 4: 1-9
Matthew 22: 1-14
Sounds a bit cruel to me- poor guy couldn’t even afford a coat and he gets thrown out on the street. I can understand the reaction to the refusal of the invited glitterati – they consider themselves too busy with their own priorities to be bothered turning up at a wedding breakfast bunfight given for a minor royalty who they probably don’t know. But you’d have thought that ordinary people would jump at being offered the chance for a free meal, and most of them are, except the coatless one.
But like a lot of situations, there is more going on than initially meets the eye. The first invitees – you might call them the ‘chosen ones’ – wouldn’t want to have the King’s son imposed on them. If they accept the invitation, it would be a declaration of loyalty and allegiance that they aren’t prepared to offer. They think they eat pretty well already on their mega -processed unwholesome diet. Shame really – they don’t realise what the consequence will be of their dismissal of the invitation. It ain’t going to end up good.
On the other hand, the poor and hungry on the street are presented with a life-saving opportunity – all they have to do is accept and demonstrate loyalty by putting on the robe they are offered, and a feast awaits them.
But here’s the point of the story, and the reason why the result of refusal is banishment. You see, they aren’t expected to own a robe already; the cost has already been paid for them. A robe is waiting for them at the King’s door, and the feast beckons. To want the feast but not the submission to the King’s authority isn’t the way it works.
Whoever we are – even unto this last -Jesus asks us to dine with Him. He has bought us the entrance fee. All He asks is that we accept Him as Lord.
Previous Posts
Praying Together 9th June 2024
If we just give in and believe that there is nothing we can do to bring about such a change, the dream will never come true. So let’s not.
Praying Together 2nd June 2024
You may remember the song: ‘It ain’t what you do it’s the way that you do it, that’s what gets results.’ Catchy tune, catchy title. But wrong. Actually, it’s the other way round – ‘It ain’t the way that you do it, it’s what you do…’
Praying Together 19th May 2024
By the power of the same Spirit strengthen us to witness to your truth and to draw everyone to the fire of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Praying Together 12th May 2024
But in Christ, a much more reliable ‘Truth’ can be found. Truth in the ‘Logos’ – the Word. The Word made flesh.
Praying Together 5th May 2024
Collect for Easter 6 God our redeemer, you have delivered us from the power of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of your Son: Grant, that as by his death he has recalled us to life, so by his continual presence in us he may raise us to eternal joy; through...
Praying Together 28th April 2024
‘If you love God, then you love your brothers and sisters’. You cannot have one without the other. If you do not love your brother and your sister, you cannot claim that you love God. No exclusions.
Praying Together 21st April 2024
There is only one leader who invites us to follow of whom we can be sure – the one who is prepared to lay down His life.
Praying Together 14th April 2024
It is easy, with hindsight, to criticise the disciples for their incredulity. But we have to ask ourselves what we would do in their place.
Praying Together 7th April 2024
We are challenged to decide what we need to ‘see’ to believe – and then to seek it in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Praying Together 31st March 2024 Easter Day
“I have seen the Lord”. It is difficult to imagine her emotions. She has seen the Lord! She doesn’t yet understand fully – but her eyes have seen Him. Her life is changed for ever, and she doesn’t care who knows it.
Praying Together 24th March 2024
But Jesus is aware of what He will have to endure in order to fulfil His mission of salvation – and He sets the necessary elements in motion.
Praying Together 17th March 2024
The Anglican Church of Ireland has produced an excellent example of the way in which St Patrick’s life embodies the Five marks of Mission – a real cause for celebration and a model for us to follow (And by the way, St. Patrick’s flag colour is blue, not green.)