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bjj
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For some reason, I cannot understand what these parables are trying to teach us. I need a good explanation so I can get it seeded in my head once and for all. Thank-you!
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dhgray
Guest
quote=Matthew 21:28-32 “What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ (29) He said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards he changed his mind and went. (30) The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go. (31) Which of the two did his father’s will?” They answered, “The first.” Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. (32) When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him.
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quote=Matthew 22:1-14 Jesus again in reply spoke to them in parables, saying, (2) “The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. (3) He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. (4) A second time he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast.”’ (5) Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. (6) The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. (7) The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. (8) Then he said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. (9) Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.’ (10) The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests. (11) But when the king came in to meet the guests he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. (12) He said to him, ‘My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?’ But he was reduced to silence. (13) Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’ (14) Many are invited, but few are chosen.”
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SAINThoodSEEKER
Guest
The specifics are unclear. The overall message, I believe, shows the multiple attempts of God in His invitation to His “guests” (us) to His “banquet or feast” (Heaven). In the proper hour (Judgement) those who have perservered will be worthy and those who haven’t won’t be. This is what I see. I forget exactly what the homilies taught when this was read in Mass, but I believe it was along these lines. Ask Fr. Vincent in “Ask an Apologist”. God bless.
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LilyM
Guest
The first parable seems to indicate that DOING the will of God is more important than professing belief in him.
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SAINThoodSEEKER
Guest
I agree, at first glance I thought Jesus was rebuking his audience because they answered incorrectly. I see now that they infact answered correctly and He just linked their answer with their actions. Cool…thanks. God bless.
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NotWorthy
Guest
The Servants being sent out that are mistreated are the Prophets.
The people of the kingdom are Israel.
The soldiers that punish them are the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans.
The King of course is God.
The People invited to the Wedding are those that hear the words of Christ.
The clothing worn by the wedding guests are our deeds. Those dressed up have done good deeds. The one that dressed shabbily has not done good deeds.
This, of course, is my opinion.
You can determine whether the “Gospel of Notworthy” is Apochryphal or not.
Notworthy
The people of the kingdom are Israel.
The soldiers that punish them are the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans.
The King of course is God.
The People invited to the Wedding are those that hear the words of Christ.
The clothing worn by the wedding guests are our deeds. Those dressed up have done good deeds. The one that dressed shabbily has not done good deeds.
This, of course, is my opinion.
You can determine whether the “Gospel of Notworthy” is Apochryphal or not.
Notworthy
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trogiah
Guest
The first parable seems very consistent with Jesus’s direct teaching “Not everyone who says to me “Lord, Lord” will enter into God’s kingdom but only those who do the will of my Father in heaven”
Or again, “A tree is known by its fruit”
The second parable seems rather more complicated and it doesn’t make perfect sense to me but I do remember reading something about the “wedding garment” that the one man didn’t have. Something about everyone who is invited is given a garment that they should wear to the wedding and if someone doesn’t have one then they either didn’t really take the invitation seriously or were trying to sneak in.
Jim
Or again, “A tree is known by its fruit”
The second parable seems rather more complicated and it doesn’t make perfect sense to me but I do remember reading something about the “wedding garment” that the one man didn’t have. Something about everyone who is invited is given a garment that they should wear to the wedding and if someone doesn’t have one then they either didn’t really take the invitation seriously or were trying to sneak in.
Jim
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bjj
Guest
Thank you for all the insight, it clarifies some of my misunderstandings. I seem to understand parts of the parables, but then some of the small details do not seem to add up to my understanding. I will continue to reread the scriptures and ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit.
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Della
Guest
Also, we have to remember that Jesus was using this medium to make general points. He didn’t intend them to be carried to the nth degree of scrutiny–no story or example can stand up to that. So, all that is really important is the general point he was making, not every word or phrase. I hope that helps. :tiphat:
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the_nuge
Guest
And also with “No one comes to the Father except through me.”
The first son says “no”, but does the fathers will.
The second son says “yes” but doesn’t do the fathers will.
That is: ‘No you got it wrong’ but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the answer is “the second”. There is a third answer: “Neither”. This answer is the only one that makes sense to me.
The tax collectors and prostitutes said “yes” from the get-go and did the fathers will. [The listener of the story] said no to begin with and said “no” afterwards.
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PraRFLEsEkHm
Guest
Peace
The first invited guests are the Jews, they refused the invitation of Christ - To the wedding supper of the Lamb, the servants who were killed were the Prophets. The second invitation which was also refused and resulted in destruction, was the destruction of Israel, and the burning of the temple. The third invitation is to the whole world - because the original guests were found to be ‘not worthy’. The man not dressed in the wedding garment is one who believes, but didn’t do the will of the father - and so was cast into outer darkness.
Peace
John
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