Putting On The Garments Of Praise
18th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Archbishop Loren Thomas Hines
October 11, 2020
Readings: Isaiah 25: 1-9
Philippians 4: 4-13
Matthew 22: 1-14
The church has the responsibility to live out the life of Christ and speak of the kingdom. We have heard the stories but have not taken them as our own. If only we had taken them as our own, we would have found life differently.
The Parable of the Wedding Feast is compared to the kingdom of heaven where the King is giving the feast. Therefore all the necessary protocol was to be applied. It is not a simple wedding and the invitation is given to the elite way ahead of time so everyone would have the time to prepare.
God created perfection. He is perfection, which is why preparation and proper planning is needed. However, the story goes that those who were invited refused to attend. The King got angry and sent out armies to destroy the ones who rejected the invitation. Then the servants were told to go into the highways to invite everyone. When the time came and these people all attended, the hall became full. There was one however, who was not in proper garments. The King then instructed that he be thrown out because he was not in proper attire in spite of the fact that he was given provisions for this.
In the banquet in heaven, we are expected to dress properly. When we come into His presence, we should enter with praise and joy. He has clothed us with righteousness and holiness. We have no excuses if we have the garments of praise in our lives. God has provided everything to us in excellence. But we have to use these provisions. We have to be the ones to put on the garments. If our inward character is not reigning and ruling, God will see through us.
Revelations 22: 15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
Matthew 25: 35-36 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.
Matthew 22: 14 Many are called, but few are chosen.
God has prepared a wedding banquet for the church, His Bride. His promises are ready, ordinances are ready, peace is ready. Angels are ready to attend to us when the appointed time comes.
Philippians 4: 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. And again I will say, rejoice.
Philippians 4: 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4: 8 Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.
The King has invited us. Are we going to dress properly? We should see the excellence of God in us.
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