This blog follows traditional one-year lectionaries.

Friday, October 23, 2020

Trinity XX- Ephesians 5: 15-21; Matthew 22: 1-14

Years ago, I posted longer comments on the Epistle and the Gospel for the Twentieth Sunday after Trinity. This year, here are brief comments on the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel.

COLLECT- The thematic prayer for this Sunday goes back to a Latin version in the Gelasian Sacramentary, but the English translations of 1549, 1662, and 1789 modified it a little. The changes in the collect seem to have been for two reasons: to emphasize mercy and grace and to improve the English style. Christians are dependent upon God's bountiful goodness in order to avoid harmful things and to follow divine commands.                                                                                                              

EPISTLE- The selection from Ephesians 5:15-21 is part of a series of selections from this letter during the Trinity season. In general, all of these selections have a two-pronged emphasis: sound doctrine about Christ and His Church and a Christian way of life. These two points are not separate because as the Apostle teaches repeatedly, a truly Christian way of life is a result of basic beliefs about God's redeeming work in Christ. Ephesians 5:15 says, "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise...." Here St. Paul begins an emphasis on wisdom. This is not some generic wisdom; it is the wisdom of the Christian walk or way of life. It stands in contrast to the general wisdom of the pagan world, which is really foolishness. The Christian wisdom that the Apostle promotes is based on the divine wisdom manifested in Jesus Christ. Walking in such wisdom, Christians will be "redeeming the time, because the days are evil" (Eph. 5:16). The world is fallen and corrupt, and Christians are to make the best use of the time. So in Ephesians 5:17, Paul exhorts,"Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is." The way to true wisdom is not through some pagan philosophy or some mysterious cult; the way to true wisdom is to know and follow God's will revealed most fully in Jesus Christ.

GOSPEL- Matthew 22: 1-14. This is one of several passages that compare God's kingdom to a feast, in this case, a wedding feast for the king's son. This version is a little more elaborate than a similar story in St. Luke's Gospel. Noteworthy is the addition of the account of the unprepared guest in St. Matthew 22: 11-14:  "And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding-garment: and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding-garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen." 

The whole passage is about people who do not respond properly to divine grace, and the final story is about an unappreciative response. The man accepts the King's invitation, but he does not bother to make appropriate preparations. However, although gracious, the King expects His guests to show respect, to be grateful, and to get ready. And anyone who does not respond respectfully is not allowed to remain in the King's presence; he cast out into the darkness. In a sense, this unworthy guest is expecting cheap grace, but God does not work that way. He expects our human responses to show our appreciation of His holy and gracious nature. Many are called, but chosenness is indicated in the response.

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