Today's Gospel in Art - Invite everyone you can to the wedding

The Peasant Wedding, by Pieter Breughel the Elder, 1567, © Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

Gospel of 22nd August 2019 - Matthew 22: 1-14

Jesus began to speak to the chief priests and elders of the people in parables: 'The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a feast for his son's wedding. He sent his servants to call those who had been invited, but they would not come.

Next he sent some more servants. "Tell those who have been invited" he said "that I have my banquet all prepared, my oxen and fattened cattle have been slaughtered, everything is ready. Come to the wedding."

But they were not interested: one went off to his farm, another to his business, and the rest seized his servants, maltreated them and killed them. The king was furious. He despatched his troops, destroyed those murderers and burnt their town. Then he said to his servants, "The wedding is ready; but as those who were invited proved to be unworthy, go to the crossroads in the town and invite everyone you can find to the wedding." So these servants went out on to the roads and collected together everyone they could find, bad and good alike; and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

When the king came in to look at the guests he noticed one man who was not wearing a wedding garment, and said to him, "How did you get in here, my friend, without a wedding garment?" And the man was silent. Then the king said to the attendants, "Bind him hand and foot and throw him out into the dark, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth." For many are called, but few are chosen.'

Reflection on the Painting

Thinking of wedding themed paintings, I think this painting by Pieter Breughel of 1567 is probably one of my favourite ones. Called The Peasant Wedding, it shows a party in full swing set in a barn in summertime. We can see the bride sitting in front of a green textile hanging, wearing a crown, but oddly enough she is sitting there passively, not participating in the eating or drinking taking place around her. She is almost statuesque, like a sculpture of Our Lady. The wooden tables and chairs are roughly fashioned and the foods on offer appear to be bread, porridge and soup. Humble food is being served in a humble setting......

To read on see: www.christianart.today/daily-gospel-reading/150