Commentary on the Gospel of
The Non-negotiable
The parable of the wedding banquet opens with a limited invitation followed by rejection; and then an open invitation, followed by an expulsion. How do we make sense of these dynamics? Salvation was first offered to the “Chosen People” of Israel. It is typical of human beings not to value what is offered free! The invited ones are too busy with their myopic projects to care for the banquet. The invitation is then offered freely to everyone: The Gospel goes out to all four directions in the world and all are invited. It is not enough that one responds to this invitation by being present: one must be present with the right attitude of the heart, the wedding garment, which is non-negotiable. You may come as you are, but as you enter, put on the mind of Christ (cf. Phil. 2: 4-11) so that you will be identified, received, and served at the banquet of life.
