GOSPEL READING

Matt. 22: 2-14

 

The Lord said this parable, The kingdom of

heaven may be compared to a king who

gave a marriage feast for his son, and sent

his servants to call those who were invited to

the marriage feast; but they would not come.

Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell

those who are invited, Behold, I have made

ready my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves

are killed, and everything is ready; come to

the marriage feast.’ But they made light of it

and went off, one to his farm, another to his

business, while the rest seized his servants,

treated them shamefully, and killed them. The

king was angry, and he sent his troops and

destroyed those murderers and burned their

city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding

is ready, but those invited were not worthy.

Go therefore to the thoroughfares, and invite

to the marriage feast as many as you find.’

And those servants went out into the streets

and gathered all whom they found, both bad

and good; so the wedding hall was filled with

guests. But when the king came in to look at the

guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding

garment; and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did

you get in here without a wedding garment?’

And he was speechless. Then the king said to

the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and

cast him into the outer darkness; there men

will weep and gnash their teeth.’ For many are

called, but few are chosen.