Pentecost 17, proper 23, Year A, Sun Oct 9, 2011

Exodus 32:1-14; Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23; Philippians 4:1-9; Matthew 22:1-14

That poor guy without a wedding garment! I’ve never had a really good fashion sense, and this story reminds me of all the times I’ve shown up at some event, either over or under-dressed. What embarrassment – should one pretend that jeans are the latest in evening wear? Or that a silk dress is what you always wear to a picnic?

It seems that the point of the parable is not that this person was so poor that he didn’t have a wedding garment (that’s just not Jesus’ style), or that the wedding garment rental place was closed, or that the person didn’t know what was expected. Of course people know that they are expected to present themselves appropriately for a king’s banquet.

To make this possible, some believe that in ancient times there were wedding robes made available for guests at the door. If the guests didn’t have something appropriate of their own, or if they were attending at the last minute, they could put on the wedding robe as they entered. So it was a conscious choice of this guest to ignore the offered robe.

As usual, Jesus is telling this parable to challenge the Temple authorities, and is warning them that if they do not accept the invitation, others will be invited instead. And, even if they do show up for the party, getting in the door is no guarantee that they will be able to stay.

Now, I’m no fan of the images of outer darkness and gnashing teeth. Most of us have plenty to gnash teeth about in ordinary daily life, without the possibility of more of the same in the life everlasting. But what I do find compelling about this parable is the open invitation to everyone. The king’s servants are sent out to wander the streets and highways, and to invite to the banquet absolutely everybody they meet.

Today we also open our weekly celebration and banquet to the beautiful, loving creatures who are our friends and companions. It’s a very special occasion to welcome them in person and in photos and in our hearts to this sacred space. It’s a day to celebrate them and to give thanks to God for the delight and companionship which we share with them. It’s also a day to remember our companion animals who have passed on.

Many years ago I had a cat named Penny, who was a very special cat. She was a rescue cat, and when she came to me she was a skinny mess. She never got over her fear of going hungry, and she could hear a can opener through three closed doors. One day when I came home from work, she was sitting on top of the table by the front door. When I came into the house, she sat back on her haunches, and put out her arms as if to say, “my person, please pick me up!”

Today we celebrate these special animals and give thanks that they are or have been in our lives, and even like members of our families. We learn of love and devotion from them that is its own kind of holiness and purity of spirit. There is a kind of direct honesty about animals – they simply are themselves.

We celebrate our animals and all creation following in the tradition of St. Francis, who had a special connection and love of the natural world. With great joy, he celebrated all creatures of the earth, even the less lovable animals. There is a story about St. Francis and a wolf. This wolf was lingering outside the gates of the village of Gubbio, ready to feast on livestock or any person who ventured out alone.

The villagers were terrified, so Francis decided he would go and reason with the wolf, and although many tried to dissuade him, he made the sign of the cross, and set out to find the wolf. When the wolf saw Francis coming towards him, he rushed toward Francis with his mouth open and fangs bared, but Francis made the sign of the cross as the wolf approached and asked the wolf to stop his attacks in the name of God. Then the wolf came forward meekly and lay down at Francis’ feet.

Francis called him “Brother Wolf,” and told him that he had done wrong to kill. Francis promised that the wolf would be forgiven if he would mend his ways, and never again attack any human or animal. In return Francis promised that the villagers would feed the wolf every day and he would never be hungry again. The wolf expressed his agreement by putting his paw in Francis’ hand. The pact was sealed. Then they walked together into the village, the wolf tagging along meekly at Francis’ side. The new arrangement worked; the villagers continued to feed the wolf, and he was never destructive again. Even this scruffy, ferocious wolf was seen by Francis as one of God’s precious creatures.

All are invited to the wedding feast, and along with the invitation, all are called to see, to honor, and to respect that an invitation to God’s banquet is an invitation into holy space. We could imagine that every Sunday we have an invitation to a royal wedding in Westminster abbey or a state dinner at the White House. But this invitation is to God’s banquet, so we don’t need to wear fascinator hats, or a tux, or anything fancy. We can come as we are.

The difference is that at this banquet, we will not stay as we are. At the door of the church, we are offered a wedding garment that is a robe of forgiveness and a covering of grace. We are invited to bring all that is burdensome and all that is weighing us down, and at this banquet the weight will be shared, lifted up, and offered into God’s hands. We are invited to this banquet of abundant joy and love in Christ’s name. We are invited to transformation in Christ.

We are invited to put aside what is not holy – as the ancient Hebrews put aside the golden earrings made into a golden idol. We are then invited to wear this sacred garment of transformation as we go into the world, so that we may see the holy in everyone we meet, in the beauty of creation, and even in the midst of all the messiness of life.

The invitation to God’s banquet is not only an invitation to church on Sunday and into consecrated space; it is not only an invitation to prepare for eternal life. It is also an invitation into joy all the days of our lives and into the sacred space that is all of God’s creation. Let us rejoice and give thanks for all that is true, and honorable, and just, and pure, and pleasing, and commendable, and excellent, and worthy of praise – which we receive through the God of peace, who created all life, and who redeems all, and whose love abides with us forever.