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. (Mt. 22:11-13)
Ferocious words from Christ and perhaps they seem somehow unfair. After all, the man had been invited off the streets, no wonder he wasn't dressed up. But our Lord isn't talking salvation through haberdashery, he's addressing the state of a person's soul.
Is that clothed correctly? If it's not, if our hearts are full of darkness, of pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony, sloth and incumbent wickedness, then we have no part in the marriage feast; we can't participate or be a part of the celebration of the union of God and Man in Christ. On the contrary, our home isn't in heaven, it's in the other place, the outer darkness where there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth, Hell.
So put on the wedding garment, all you who've answered the invite of the king and turned up at the feast which is the worship of the Church on earth and in heaven. Put on the garment or find yourself thrown out as a soul incompatible with divine love. But what is this garment?
St. Paul describes its character and quality, writing to the Philippians, "...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence..." Truth, honor, justice, purity, love, grace, excellence, these are the defining qualities of a soul fit for the feast. And they are the virtues of Christ himself. As the Apostle says elsewhere, we must "put on" Christ as a garment.
To that end, turn to our Savior in humble, repentant faith that he may clothe us in righteousness and admit us to the marriage feast of the Lamb, to paradise itself.
You'll note, Worldwide LSP Communion, that I am preaching to myself.
LSP
10 comments:
A big AMEN.
Our Lord invites all to His Feast. We had better be prepped when the invitation arrives.
And we are fortunate that God forgives every day. Thank you, Heavenly Father.
You all be safe and God bless.
Keep oil in your lamp, LSP.
There's nothing wrong with preaching to yourself as well as the crowd, such as we are.
"Just as I am," etc.
Thank you Ed, I appreciate that.
Ain't that the truth, DOS.
Yes, Linda. Always give thanks, and I don't say that lightly.
Dammit, LL, you're becoming increasingly psychic.
Thanks, Wild, I appreciate that.
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