28^th Sunday Ord Time A, October 11, 2020; Is 25:6-10a; Phil 4:12-14, 19-20; Mt 22:1-14

When I was a little boy I loved to go to Weddings. Not that, as a boy, I thought that much about the Wedding ceremony. I’m sure that to me the ceremony part was pretty boring. But the reception – that’s what I liked - The party after the wedding – The Wedding Feast!

It was always exciting & fun. Plenty of food and drinks, friends and relatives enjoying themselves, a big wedding cake with lots of icing, sometimes a groom’s cake with even more icing, and music of all kinds, sometimes a band and sometimes a DJ. Now, I was very shy but when someone got me out on the dance floor I went crazy. I loved to dance, mostly the twist, or maybe even a cha-cha with my mother.

Even when I didn’t really know the bride or the groom I was still able to have a great time. The Wedding Feast – the Reception – was always a time of great joy for all in attendance. I always felt welcome at a reception.

In our American culture the Reception, the Wedding Feast, usually lasts for a few hours but in other cultures the partying can go on for days or even weeks. That’s how it was back in Jesus’ time, as well. So, when Jesus told this Parable about a Wedding Feast, the people of his day really understood what a wondrous, joyous, and special event this was.

So, it doesn’t make any logical sense that someone might not want to attend the celebration. It doesn’t make sense that people would mistreat those sent to invite them to the celebration. It doesn’t make any sense that someone would come to this special event and insult the host by not being properly dressed.

What does this parable have to say to us today? God is still inviting each of us to the Wedding Feast, a joyous occasion, where we gather with friends and family and are supposed to celebrate our unity with one another and with God. God is asking us to invite others to this feast, as well. Knowing how joyous and special it is for us – why wouldn’t we invite others?

But, like in the parable, there will be some who may choose not to come - for many different reasons and not just because of the Corona Virus. But we still need to extend the invitation. Some are not ready now, especially with the Covid situation, so we may have to invite them again later.

Many are coming, despite the virus, or will be coming back when things get better. So, we have to make them feel welcome when they do come. They may be with us only for a short time – or, hopefully, permanently. Regardless - All are Welcome in this place even under restrictions.

And, like in the Gospel, we should be properly dressed. Not just the clothing that we have on, although, sadly, for Mass we often dress like we’re at a beach barbecue not at a Eucharistic Banquet. As hosts, and guests, we put on: mercy, and justice, and compassion, and understanding, and love. These are the garments that we wear to the Wedding Feast and that makes us presentable to God.

Like our clothing choices, it is still up to us whether we choose to wear these garments or not. Some of us aren’t ready yet. But we’re getting there. So, let us be patient with one another. Let us welcome each other back to the Wedding Feast. Let us welcome those new arrivals. And let us keep sending out the invitations to join us at the feast – because, as we know, the mail can be a little slow right now.