Gospel in Art: Invite everyone you can to the wedding

The Parable of the Royal Wedding, by Pieter Aertsen © Christie's New York,15.10.2020, lot 16

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 22 August 2024
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

Today's Gospel parable tells the story of a king determined to have a full house for his son's wedding banquet. When his first two sets of servants fail to gather those who initially agreed to come, the king sends his servants a third time to the town crossroads to invite complete strangers to the celebration. This story illustrates God's persistence in calling out to us, even when we seem indifferent or unresponsive. The Lord never gives up on us, no matter how many times we give him reasons to. He continues to extend his invitation to us, always.

God's call is not just an external beckoning but a transformative force from within. God promises to cleanse us, give us a new heart, and place a new spirit within us. God is committed to doing his part. The conclusion of the Gospel parable, however, indicates that we also must do ours. One guest was asked to leave because he was not wearing a wedding garment, symbolising a casual attitude towards the king's invitation. God is not casual about us; he invests deeply in us and expects a fitting response. Our lives should bear fruit that reflects God's immense investment in us.

Our artist Pieter Aertsen was born in Amsterdam and settled in Antwerp in or shortly before 1535, the year in which he enrolled as a master in the city's painters' guild. He is best known for his large-scale market scenes. Our painting could easily be mistaken for such a market scene. However, the parable is subtly depicted. In the background we see violence, rejection and disrespect shown towards the servants by some of the invited guests. The foreground shows a man in ragged clothes and a seated woman breastfeeding. They may soon well be thrown out of the wedding too. Other guests are well dressed and are handling the food and dressing the tables. They are full participants in the wedding feast. To the left middle-ground of the painting we see the king wrapped around in a red cloak, being respectfully greeted by two guests.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-22-1-14-2024/