Tintoretto: The Wedding FeastWhen I was a child, each time I heard this parable I thought the king to be a bit harsh. How was the man tossed into the night to know that he should have dressed up for the party? Hadn’t he been halted on his way down the road of life and invited suddenly to the Wedding? Now as an adult I understand that the point of this story is about being prepared always. It is about going about life as if each day holds an invitation for the Wedding. It is about rising each morning knowing that we are called. It is about taking the time each morning to put on the wedding garment before I step across my threshold into the world. It is about checking the garment for readiness several times a day. It is about laying out that garment each night as I go to my bed . . . in preparation for dinning the next day.
Christ is constantly prepared to receive us. God the Father is constantly guiding and protecting us. The Holy Spirit is constantly abiding and comforting us. Can I not be constantly mindful of these great gifts of being called . . . being protected . . . being loved?
May we never be reduced to silence as is the guest in today’s parable.
May we always be ready and willing to go to the feast.
May we always strive for constancy . . . just as our God is always constant with us.
Psalm 17:6 – I call upon you, O God, for you will answer me; incline your ear to me and hear my words.
It is so difficult to hear God’s voice above the clamor of the world. It is so easy to forget that for God all things are possible. We must be persistent in telling God our woes, insistent in letting God know how we feel and what we seek. We must continue to call on God . . . for God is our only hope.
God says: I see how frustrated you become with the big and little worries of your life; I see how your burdens wear you down. You have called on me and I hear you. I am responding to your plea but you are so worried that you cannot hear my words of peace. You are so anxious that you cannot feel my healing touch. I incline my ear to you . . . I touch your heart . . . just as you touch mine.
God listens to us more than we believe. God speaks to us more than we think. God loves us more than we imagine.
Psalm 5:8 – Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness, because of those who lie in wait for me; make your way straight before me.
We sometimes think that once we defeat a particular foe that all our problems will be solved. This is not the way the world works. When one evil is vanquished, another quickly fills the void. God’s righteousnesssaves us from all this evil; Jesus is called The Righteous One. In the Old Testament, righteousness often refers to vindication; in the New Testament, this vindication takes on a new tone of justification or salvation through sacrifice and suffering. After the events of Easter, the word righteousnesshas been used to describe Jesus – the one whose actions bring the unrighteous to God.
God says: I am always with you as your creator who loves you beyond measure. I am always with you as The Righteous One who suffered to bring you back from the darkness. I am always with you as the Spirit who lives inside of you to keep you safe from harm. Listen to My Word; it will lead you. Listen to my Spirit; it will tell you what to say. Listen to my Voice; it will tell you where to go and what to do. Listen to me . . . and those who lie in wait for you will be as dust before the wind. Walk on the straight way without fear.
May you hear God’s word as you go to sleep tonight.
Psalm 81:9 – I will listen to what the Lord God is saying, for he is speaking peace to his faithful people and to those who turn their hearts to him.
When all is quiet it is not so difficult to hear the words we must say, to understand the actions we must take. When all is going well it is not so difficult to find the courage to do what we know we must . . . even when it is something we would rather not do. But, when the demands of the day come galloping at us, we cannot always hear the voice of God; our boldness and our confidence melt away. This is when we must fall into our trust that God is with us in the cacophony just as he is with us in the peace.
God says: My ways are the true ways because my ways help you to open your hearts, if only you will suffer with me a little while. Can you not watch with me for an hour or so? Can you not turn your heart to me?
Hoping you have an hour or so to spend with God . . . who is always waiting patiently.
Enter the words God’s Ways into the Blog search and listen a bit while reflecting on God’s ways.
Psalm 31:5 – Into your hands I commend my spirit, for you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth.
We think of these as some of the last words Jesus spoke from the cross. We might want to use them frequently ourselves . . . in fact, each time a new burden falls upon our shoulders.
God says: Do not worry about bringing your problems to me. I am never on overload. I always have time to hear you. I will not lose my patience with you. I have eternal time on my hands and I love to hear you speak to me. I am happy when you are happy. I am sad when you are sad. This is a truth upon which you can always rely. I understand your tribulations. This is why I walk among you. I have already redeemed and rescued you, and I have paid a great price. Rest in that knowledge . . . and in my love . . . and trust me.
As we say our daily prayers, let us commend ourselves to God; and may we experience the freedom of his redemption.
Click on the image above to reflect more on Those Hands.
Psalm 32:11 – Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice in the Lord; shout for joy, all you who are true of heart.
Being true of heart is difficult, but once begun . . . it is a practice we cannot give up.
God says: I come to walk among you in truth – a very special truth. It is the truth that will set you free. Once you begin to live in me and in this truth, you will feel uncomfortable living any other way . . . because you will living in The Way.
May you find the true stepping-stones of The Way with greater ease and a lighter, freer heart.
Psalm 34:7 – The Angel of the Lord encompasses those who fear him, and he will deliver them.
MichaelThe angels are God’s messengers and envoys. The Archangels are Michael the Defender, Gabriel the Announcer, Raphael the Healer, and Lucifer the Beautiful One. Even among these special creatures we see both a willingness and an aversion to obedience.
God says: As special and as beautiful as the angels are, they do not compare to the radiance of the human race. I do not make them in my image. Only you, my beloved ones, have such privilege. My angels are constantly with you, guiding, protecting, communicating. Each of you has a special guardian of your own. There are also fleets of swift-winged creatures who come and go constantly with messages for you.
GabrielI do not want you to be fearful. I do not want you to feel alone and so I send them among you . . . even as I am among you. Do not be afraid. I am with you. My angels are with you. You are already delivered from the dark ones who would pull you into their world. Sleep well. Rise well. Go into the day tomorrow with a smile.
RaphaelWishing you peaceful days and happy nights. May Michael defend you, Gabriel announce God’s word to you, Raphael heal you . . . and Lucifer stay far away from you. All this God does that you might be well.
Psalm 138:8 – The Lord will make good his purpose to me; O Lord, your love endures for ever; do not abandon the works of your hands.
God always keeps God’s promises.
God says: In the flutter and clutter of living, it is easy to become distracted by the necessities of getting through a day. I see how easy it is to become wrapped into the details and to forget your purpose. I am with you to carry you through those times when you cannot possibly keep track of the minutiae. You are special to me. You will never be without me. I will never let you drift alone. I will always be with you. You are a glorious gift, the work of my hands. You will endure forever in my love when you come to me.
Psalm 30:13 – My heart sings to you without ceasing; O Lord my God, I will give you thanks for ever.
In all circumstances, either sorrowful or joyful, give thanks to the Lord. He has done great things for me; he keeps his promises and fulfills his word.
God says: I do not let you down, I am with you always. I do not change my mind; I am constant love. I do not bully or neglect you; I wait until you move toward me . . . and then I run to greet you with an overflowing heart and open arms. My love takes you in, washes away anxiety, allays fears and sends away all that threatens you. If you rest in me you need nothing else. Trust me and sing with me.
Hoping that God’s lullabies take away all that terrifies you.
The Noontimes 
