St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church

Fr. Jon Griffin — Proper 23A — September 14, 2023

[RCL] Exodus 32:1-14; Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23; Philippians 4:1-9; Matthew 22:1-14

With the current escalation of violence in Israel, a parallel rise in eschatological verbiage normally occurs. Some of this verbiage emits a highly emotional tone coupled with apocalyptic undercurrents and warnings. I recall a cartoon in which a long haired and bearded man dressed in a robe and wearing sandals is carrying a sign – on one side the phrase “the end is near” appears and, when the man turns around, the words “eat at Joe’s” comprise the advertisement on the opposite side. We are confronted with this paradox, this dichotomy – our present reality necessitates us to be attentive to our physical needs – “eating at Joe’s” – while we contemplate what is going to take place in the future – “the end is near”. Some of us become anxious – we have a need to know. Prophetic pronouncements regarding the end of the age multiply daily. Armageddon, antichrist, rapture, tribulation is part of the vocabulary we hear or read.

The present situation is not of recent vintage. The subject of the “end time” predates Christianity and Judaism. It appears in one form or another in many ancient texts and belief systems. 

In the 1^st century A.D., the church in Thessalonica wanted to know what will happen to their departed family members. They also wanted a timetable of end time events. The Apostle Paul assures them that their deceased brethren will share in the resurrection. As to end of the age timetables, Paul reminds them that they do not need anything written to them. He restates Jesus’ warnings – “that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night”. When others say, “there is peace and security” sudden destruction will come upon them’. But you beloved are not in darkness for that day to surprise you like a thief for you are children of the light”. As such, they should always be ready for the end. “So let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake…” 

Paul encourages them to “stay awake” and continue what they are already doing – building up each other. Paul’s counsel is equally relevant for Christians in the present time. “So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter.” As long as we continue in the apostles’ teaching and remain steadfast in our Christian faith, God will be with us. If we choose to depart from the faith, then we will experience separation from God with its inherent consequences.

Today’s Gospel reading contains the Parable of the Marriage Feast. With the Parable of the Two Sons and the Parable of the Vineyard and the Wicked Tenants, they form a trilogy of parables of judgment which are thoroughly eschatological. 

The three parables are addressed to the same audience, the chief priests and elders. In the Parable of the Two Sons, two kinds of Jews are represented by the two sons. Faithless leaders and faithful outcasts; false and true Israel.

Tax collectors and prostitutes go ahead of the chief priests and elders into the kingdom of God. This paradox is at the heart of Matthew’s gospel.

The faithful outcasts acknowledge their need to repent while the faithless leaders thought they were righteous and had no need of repentance. Faithful obedience emerges as a final test for Matthew. The son who said no at first but later went passed the test while the one who said he would go but did not failed. The parable, like its counterpart the Prodigal Son, shares a common truth; the son who first says no and rebels but later obeys.

In the Parable of the Vineyard and the Wicked Tenants, Matthew’s interpretation of the parable is that the kingdom of God will be taken from those who produce no fruit and given to those who bear good fruit. The question is this “Who are the new tenants?” For Matthew, the new tenants are the believing Jews and Gentile converts – the Church.

Utilizing the themes of judgment, death and final destiny, the marriage feast parable unfolds in three acts. (1) first and second call to the guests; (2) calling of the outcasts; and (3) the sorting out at the wedding party. The invited guests do not arrive when called, giving excuses for not coming. Some react by mistreating and killing the messengers. The king is not amused. Troops are sent to destroy the murderers and burn their city. 

The wedding feast is ready but those invited were not worthy, So the messengers are instructed to go out into the streets and invite everyone to the banquet. They carry out their instructions, gathering all whom they found, both good and bad. The wedding hall was filled with guests.

When the king arrived and while greeting his guests, he noted one man who was not wearing a wedding robe and asked “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe? “The man was speechless – caught off guard. The king had him bound and thrown out of the wedding hall – into outer darkness. 

While this expulsion may cause some confusion, especially since the king called him Friend, the main point is again, many are called but few are chosen. The last shall be first, the first last.

Matthew distinguishes between the initial call to salvation and the final election and perseverance. Salvation is not automatic. Believers are warned against complacency.

Let’s be hypothetical. If Jesus were delivering these parables today, could he not portray current church leadership as Jesus’ faithless leaders? Perhaps and bringing it closer to home, could we be just as guilty of complacency as the Jewish leaders of Jesus’ time? Are we good or wicked tenants? Do we protect our vineyards with the same disregard for the landowner and his messengers as the wicked tenants? Are we the Friend who is not wearing the proper wedding robe? 

Our purpose as Christians is to produce good fruit in our vineyards. When messengers are sent to collect the produce, what will be our response? Will there be any fruit to offer the landowner? Will we be the guests invited to the marriage banquet but making excuses for not attending, even though we returned the RSVP promising to do so. 

Let us be reminded of the promises we make when renewing our baptismal vows – our RSVP so to speak; (say Baptismal Covenant.) Our Christian faith is not something we put in a safe place only to be consulted like a Last Will and Testament after our demise but a living witness to whom we pledge allegiance and from whom we receive our marching orders. Paying heed to Paul’s exhortation, let us be children of the light engaged in the work He has given us to do. May we keep our baptismal promises and, when we fail, repent and return. 

To be clear, I am not promoting salvation by works but reminding each of us that we as Christians have a vocation in the vineyard. The scriptures remind us that we will be judged.

May we combat our complacency, as today’s collect implores and with God’s assistance, by being continually given to good works.

Amen.