Last Sunday's Gospel reading had me a little stumped - not like these stories are new, but sometimes you start second guessing something you've heard a hundred times over. Really, what is up with the one guy being called out?
Clearly the wedding feast is the Eucharistic meal. Who's invited first? Israel, especially the priests and elders. They reject the invitation (as we all do, just to be clear on that). In a sense, the Jewish rejection of Jesus is necessary so that the Gentiles are invited. Thus, the invitation is extended to all, never withdrawn. Still, what's up with the one guy being called out?
The king said to him, 'My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?'
Ahhh... that word, "friend." Sometimes Jesus calls his followers "friends" and that's a good thing. But I think when you're having a literal "come to Jesus" talk mano-a-mano, maybe you don't want to hear that word.
Jesus answered him, “Friend, do what you have come for.”
No parable can be a perfect mirror, but this is setting the stage. Jesus wasn't concerned about the outer garment, but his audience was, and naturally he's sowing the seed to recall the sacrifice that God desires.
I'm sure much more can be said, but I'll leave it there for now.
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