Proper 23 Yr A
Many called, few chosen

Image is “The Party” (2002) by James B. Janknegt (downloaded from https://www.bcartfarm.com/pp197.html on October 7, 2020).

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Published date 10/11/2023

Editor's note: During the season of Pentecost, churches that use the Revised Common Lectionary have two options. One, often called "semicontinuous" or "Track 1", provides more detail about the Old Testament stories. The other, called "complementary" or "Track 2", more closely marries the Old Testament lesson to the gospel reading.

Introduction

Think back a few years to the royal wedding of William and Kate or Harry and Megan. What a grand event that was. Now pretend that you had been invited to the wedding banquet. Further, pretend that many who the Queen first invited turned her down, which of course opened the way for you to attend. And many others were invited: the other poor, neglected, and generally dismissed people. And you know the food is going to be wonderful. And there are oh so many other guests coming. And it will be such a great time! So, when you get the invitation, do you keep your pj’s on, your grungy clothes and just attend? Of course not. To prepare oneself for such a party is one way to show respect for the Queen and the invitation and even the others coming to the party.

Often, the focus is on the invitation to the party rather than how you should prepare yourself to attend. But maybe not. What special clothes or jewelry might you adorn yourself with? Now stop pretending and think about the magnificent banquet you've been invited to by Christ and God. How are you prepared, beloved?

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Matthew 22:1-14

Once more Jesus spoke to the people in parables, saying: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.’ But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’ Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.. . .

From sermon4kids.com: “In this story, the King is God and, of course, Jesus is His Son. God is going to have a great celebration for His Son in Heaven and we have all been invited. I can’t imagine why, but some people will turn down God’s invitation. You’ve been invited ”

Scripture: October 15, 2023, Proper 23 (Pentecost 20) Year A—Track 1: Exodus 32:1-14 (image); Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23 (image); Track 2: Isaiah 25:1-9 (image); Psalm 23 (image); Philippians 4:1-9 (image); and Matthew 22:1-14 (image). Illuminating the scripture, an image and audio journey.

Collect: Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Reflection:
Track 1: Where has your trust in God wavered or broken down? What would it take for that trust to be restored? When have you experienced the peace of God, which passes understanding?

Track 2: Each day this week, ponder the attributes in Philippians 4:8 and make your own list of what to set your mind on toward living in thanksgiving. On Monday, meditate on whatever is true; Tuesday, whatever is honorable; Wednesday, just; Thursday, pure; Friday, pleasing; Saturday, commendable. On Sunday, consider what is excellent and worthy of praise.

Eye Candy:
“The Unwelcome Guest” by Matthaeus Merian the Elder;
“The Party” (2002) by James B. Janknegt;
"The poor invited to the feast" (1973) from Jesus Mafa;
"A passing likeness" (contemporary), digital art by Anna Strickland;
"Ruins" (contemporary), digital art by Anna Strickland

Ear Worm:
“I cannot come“, joyful song;
“Imagine” by John Lennon (40 second lead-in);
“I come with joy to meet my Lord” hymn
"Draw the circle wide", sing-along;
"Come to the feast of heaven and earth"

Brain Food:
“The wedding robe” by Janet Hunt;
“Nothing to wear” by Tom Beam;
“Proper attire required” by Alyce McKenzie
"Dress codes or radical welcome", from sermons that work weblog

Parables:
“Black Panther” (2018, PG-13)—responsibilities of a nation to the rest of the world, Review;
“Polycarp” (2015, not rated), cannot live unless know what willing to die for, Review;
“Freedom” (2014, R), two men separated by 100 years share the same dilemma, Review;
"Pieces of April" (2003, PG-13), ”Thanksgiving dinner and families, Review;
“Traffic” (2000, R), hard-hitting about pervasive nature of and trafficking drugs, Review;
“The Fifth Element” (1997, PG-13), really quirky film with great moral, sci-fi extravaganza, Review

Hymn Notes: Here's a teaser of information about plainsong. Go to the Wikipedia page to learn more.

"Plainsong developed during the earliest centuries of Christianity, influenced possibly by the music of the Jewish synagogue and certainly by the Greek modal system. It has its own system of notation.

As the number of chants in the church's repertoire increased, officials needed a better way to standardize the music. A unique form of musical notation was developed to help standardize the music and provide a reference for the performers and audience alike. The musical notations that were used were called neumes, and they are employed on a four-line staff, unlike the five-line staff we are accustomed to today."

For families: Study guide and activities, (former guide), group activity, snacks, kid video

For children: See family guide/activities (other activity); bulletin, craft

For middlers: See family guide/activities (other activity); bulletin, craft

Coloring: Psalm 106, Inviting others

For youth: Again, this week, let’s look at Paul’s letter to the Philippians in which we are reminded to keep on doing what we have learned and received and heard and seen. Being a Christian is not always a cakewalk, and in this lesson, Paul chides the two women Euodia and Syntyche to quit fussing and get back to the work of discipleship. It’s easy to become sidetracked and to forget what’s really important in life. Paul offers some good tips for how to stay on track—rejoicing, avoiding worry, being gentle, praying, pursuing truth, justice, and honor, and all manner of good. Do you use these tactics to stay focused?

(excerpted from “The Welcome Table” from the Stewardship of Life website.

Extra: Video for “Is the New Testament more important . . ?”

Comments welcome.

During these last weeks of the Church Year, we come to the section of Matthew’s Gospel marked by intense confrontations between Jesus and the religious establishment; these confrontations were to lead to his crucifixion. In today’s Gospel, Jesus is again teaching about the Kingdom. Here it is described in a way that antagonized the establishment. If those who are religious do not respond to God’s call, they will be replaced by others who do respond.

Track 1. In the first reading, the people of Israel lost patience when Moses did not return from the mountaintop. They built an idol and worshiped it as their god. God saw this and intended to destroy them but Moses interceded and God turned aside from destroying the people who he loved.

Track 2. In the first reading, Isaiah foresees the Kingdom of God as a great feast (the same image Jesus uses in today’s Gospel reading) and as a feast for all people, not just a few. This is one of the places in the Hebrew Scriptures where we see Israel’s understanding of God as a national or tribal God expanding into seeing God as God of all.

We continue to read Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Paul brings his letter to its conclusion, calling on the people to live in peace and unity and to help one another.

Our gathering in Eucharist is a foreshadowing of the Kingdom of God. We are called to bring all people into this fellowship and meal. In this way, the Kingdom of God is revealed and humanity’s hope is made more certain.

Proper 23 Yr A Many called, few chosen

Introduction

Matthew 22:1-14

Proper 23 Yr A
Many called, few chosen