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Catechesis on the Parables of Jesus: The Wedding Feast and the Garment of Salvation

The Parable of the Wedding Feast is found in Matthew 22:1-14 and in Luke 14:16-24. As usual, it would be good to read these two Gospel readings of the parable before reading this article.

Matthew’s account of the parable of the Wedding Feast has a sting in the tail! It is another of those parables that cause us to react. We fail to understand the apparent harshness of the king in his treatment of the guest – presumably, just brought in off the street – who is not wearing a wedding garment. The temptation, as often happens when we react, is to turn away from the parable with the secret thought that it seems to be unchristian – not unlike our judgment of the wise virgins whose treatment of the unwise seems equally contrary to the gospel values we have learned. We need to ask the Holy Spirit to teach us!

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Msgr. Paul J. Watson is the Director Emeritus of Maryvale Institute, where he teaches Scripture, spirituality and catechesis. Ordained January 12, 1974, he has served as pastor for many parishes. He was awarded an S.T.L. Summa Cum Laude (Spirituality) from Gregorian University in Rome, and has written a course book for Maryvale’s BA in Applied Theology / BA Divinity on the “Church’s Developing Vision of Catechesis” as well as a course book on "The Christian Tradition of Spiritual Formation" for the MA in Religious and Educational Studies. Msgr. Paul jointly launched, and regularly contributes to, a monthly magazine Bible Alive of Scriptural catechesis and personal spirituality.

This article is from The Sower and may be copied for catechetical purposes only. It may not be reprinted in another published work without the permission of Maryvale Institute. Contact [email protected]

Categorized Under

Categorized Under:

Scriptural Catechesis

Issue:

30.4

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About Franciscan Catechetics

The Catechetics Degree Programs and the Catechetical Institute (CI) at Franciscan University of Steubenville work in concert to prepare clergy, religious and laity to join the “army of catechists” called for by St. John Paul II, eager to help the Church in her mission of making all nations joyful disciples of Jesus Christ. We combine a thorough formation in Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and Magisterial documents with training in effective pedagogical techniques to help those we serve to grasp the truth, goodness, and beauty of the Father’s plan, and to bear witness to others faithfully of the wonderful life of grace in the Holy Spirit.

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