Gospel in Art: There was a man who gave a great banquet...

The Feast of the Bean King, by Jacob Jordaens, 1640 © Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 5 November 2024
Luke 14:15-24

One of those gathered round the table said to Jesus, 'Happy the man who will be at the feast in the kingdom of God!' But he said to him, 'There was a man who gave a great banquet, and he invited a large number of people. When the time for the banquet came, he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, "Come along: everything is ready now." But all alike started to make excuses. The first said, "I have bought a piece of land and must go and see it. Please accept my apologies." Another said, "I have bought five yoke of oxen and am on my way to try them out. Please accept my apologies." Yet another said, "I have just got married and so am unable to come."

'The servant returned and reported this to his master. Then the householder, in a rage, said to his servant, "Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in here the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame." "Sir" said the servant "your orders have been carried out and there is still room." Then the master said to his servant, "Go to the open roads and the hedgerows and force people to come in to make sure my house is full; because, I tell you, not one of those who were invited shall have a taste of my banquet."'

Reflection on the painting

In the Gospels, particularly in Luke, Jesus is frequently found at table. In today's Gospel reading, He is a guest at a meal hosted by a prominent Pharisee, with other Pharisees and experts in Jewish law also present. One of the guests offers a beatitude, saying, "Happy the man who will be at the feast in the kingdom of God!" In response, Jesus shares a parable. While the beatitude looks forward to a great feast in the future, the parable Jesus tells us about a feast where the invitations have already been sent out. Jesus shifts the focus from the future to the present! He is reminding us that the invitations have already gone out. What matters is our response now.

In the parable, we hear of those who initially accepted the invitation then decline it just as the meal is ready. They are distracted by various worldly concerns. Because of their refusal, an unexpected invitation is extended to those who would never typically feel invited. Those people joyfully accept. This parable reminds us to be mindful of the Lord's invitation in the present, ensuring that the good things of this world do not consume us to the point where we are unable to respond to His call in the here and now.

Our painting, titled The Feast of the Bean King, by Flemish painter Jacob Jordaens depicts a lavish feast. A lively group is gathered around a well-laden table, led by an elderly man crowned as king for the day. According to tradition, this honour was bestowed upon the person who found a hidden bean in the cake baked for the feast of Epiphany. On this day, common folk played at being royalty, a playful release for any dissatisfaction with the real social order. The king's main duty was to raise his glass at intervals, prompting the company to follow suit with the cry, 'The King drinks!' Judging by the festive atmosphere, it's clear this ritual has been enthusiastically repeated several times. Jordaens's dynamic compositions owe much to the influence of Rubens, to whom he sometimes contributed, but he developed his own distinctive style by blending his mentor's techniques with exaggerated, burlesque figures. Above the scene is a moralising inscription: "nil similus insano quam ebrius"-"nothing is more like a madman than a drunk." This lavish banquet stands in sharp contrast to the banquet to which Jesus invites us: Jordaens' temporal feast, filled with earthly pleasures, versus the eternal banquet that Jesus offers-a celebration of everlasting life.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-14-15-24-2024/