Reflections on October 9th, 2011: “For Many Are Invited, But Few Are Chosen (St. Matthew 22:1-14)”

The accounts from St. Matthew’s Gospel the last few Sundays not only depict Jesus’ authority questioned, but the flat and adamant rejection of the Lord. Such responses to Christ reveal the true reaction of our flesh towards the Savior from sin, death, and the power of the devil. By nature we desire to cling to these and are hardened against God. This past Sunday’s Gospel (St. Matthew 22:1-14), however, provides additional insight on how such rebellious attitudes are actually expressed. From verse 5: “But they paid no attention [to the invitation to the wedding feast/the invitation to the kingdom of heaven] and went off, one to his farm, another to his business.” Many people are just disinterested and apathetic, caring less about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is a simple fact. Their reaction is “Look, I’ve no time for that! I’m too busy, leave me alone!” In this case, the Word of God seems irrelevant; a totally unnecessary thing. I think of Laplace’s attitude about God in the face of understanding the natural realm (creation) from his particular scientific perspective: “Sire, I did not need that hypothesis.” Look around at our culture today. It seems that the easiest thing in the world is to get along without God and for heaven’s sake, especially the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The other kind of rejection is different. From verse 6: “while the rest seized [God’s] servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them.” This rejection is a violent one. It is not enough for this attitude to dismiss, it must retaliate. Belief in God — especially belief in the exclusivity of the Gospel — must be the target of enmity and attack because we who are accused of being “intolerant” are not tolerated. It should surprise none of us that in the 21st century a Christian may be considered an infidel worthy of martyrdom. In the face of such rejection and attack, however, is the unwavering and powerful Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is amazing to take into consideration that for all who respond to Jesus in this way Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do (St. Luke 23:34).” We also carry with us the sinful nature that says, “I don’t care!” or “I hate you!” But in Christ’s mercy, not only have we been called (as all have been called through the universal atonement of Jesus Christ), but we have also been chosen. How is that? We have been chosen through Holy Baptism which has united us to Jesus; through the Word that has entered our ears and our hearts and created faith in the One who died even while we were still His enemies (Romans 5:10); and through the Holy Sacrament which marks us as receptors of the blood that covers our sin (God’s blood, Acts 20:28). We know indeed that many are called, but thank God that you who confess the saving name of Jesus are also chosen, chosen no longer to reject, but to rejoice that He has clothed you and welcomed you into His kingdom. He is your clothing, your righteousness, your life. Thanks be to God! Dr. Espinosa

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