Living in the Spirit
October 14, 2023
Scripture Reading:
Matthew 22:1-14
Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, “Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.” But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, maltreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, “The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.” Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.
‘But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?” And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” For many are called, but few are chosen.’
The Bible is very violent. It teaches loving our neighbors, but stories like the one above give credence to Israel’s goal to annihilate Gasa. While the terrorists in Gasa must be controlled, what cost must be paid by the innocent Israelis and Palestinians who are being maimed and slaughtered and whose homes are being destroyed? How, indeed, do we answer God’s call to recognize all people as children of God in times of war? President Biden pleaded with all sides of the wars in Ukraine and Israel to do battle in the accepted rules of war, but how do we take the next steps to end the need for war? We are called to a very challenging mission. We are called to deliver to the whole world a better way of being ruled by love and mutual respect. We will never end wars or gunfights on our streets unless we can establish in the minds of all people that they are of worth as children of God and have gifts to share that are needed.
Prayer: Lord, I have been taught that all things are possible through you. (Matthew 19:26) still, our world seems to be spinning out of control. Grant us the strength to live into that reality as we serve in your name. Amen.
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.