Fourteenth Sunday of Matthew
Matthew 22:2-14
Matthew 22:2-14
By St. Theophan the Recluse
A king arranges a wedding for his son,
he sends once for those who were bidden, sends twice, but
because of earthly cares they do not come—one was
busy at home, another with business. A new invitation was
made in other spheres, and the wedding chamber was
furnished with guests. Among them was found one not
dressed for a wedding, who was therefore cast out. The
meaning of this parable is clear: The wedding is the Kingdom of Heaven, the invitation is the preaching of the
Gospels, those who refused are those who did not believe
at all, and the one who was not dressed for a wedding
believed, but did not live according to faith.
Each of us
must figure out for ourselves which category we belong to.
That we are bidden is clear, but are we believers? Indeed
it is possible to even be among believers, under their
common name, and completely lack faith. One does not think
at all about faith, as if it did not exist; another knows
something or other about it and from it, and is satisfied;
another interprets the faith in a distorted way; another
relates to it with complete animosity. All are reckoned to
be among the Christians, although they have absolutely
nothing which is Christian.
If you believe, figure out
whether your feelings, or deeds conform to your
faith—these are the garment of the soul, by which
God sees you as dressed for the wedding or not. It is
possible to know the faith well and be zealous for it, but
in actual life to serve the passions, to dress, that is,
in the shameful clothes of a sin-loving soul. Such people
are one way in word, but are another way in the heart. On
their tongue is, “Lord, Lord!” but within they
are saying, “count me out.” Examine yourself,
whether you be in the faith and wearing the wedding
clothes of the virtues, or wearing the shameful tatters of
sins and passions.
