My wife Carol and I recently went to see the movie 'The March of the Penguins.' A wonderful story, it is actually a documentary on the Emperor penguins in Antarctica.
There is much to commend this beautiful spectacle of the triumph of love and life in the harshest and most desolate of conditions.
The 'March' shows in poignant detail what the penguins choose to endure in order to breed and bring young chicks into the world. We witness the entire group of penguins banding together through bitter cold, wind, storms and predators; their sole purpose being the survival of their young.
We find in the movie that some of the penguins do not make it. Some are not prepared for the extreme conditions. They choose to go it alone and do not huddle together for warmth and protection. There are consequences when they choose not to do what they are meant to do. We also see the triumph of life and the strength of decision and will.
I am reminded of the words of Jesus, 'Many are called but few are chosen.'
The idea of being chosen runs throughout the Old and New Testaments. The word 'to choose' comes from the Greek word 'elektos' meaning to select, elect, and 'chosen out of for a purpose.'
Jesus? parable of the wedding banquet makes it clear that the invitation is open. Yet people keep finding reasons why they can not come. When some of the invited guests do not show up, the guest list is expanded to include everyone.
The parable?s first surprise is the king's generosity and lavish welcome. We are meant to learn that God?s welcome and generosity towards all people is to be inclusive by making room for everyone to come. As Mr. Rogers once said, 'No one is excluded from the neighborhood.'
Yet when the king sees that one of the guests at the table is not dressed for the banquet, he is thrown out, never to return. If the parable's first surprise is who is invited in, the second surprise is who does not get to stay.
Apparently, everyone is not prepared for this banquet. We are not going to be able to simply slide into a seat at the king?s banquet while we choose to try and get by on our own in life. There are consequences to our actions and our lack of action.
I believe that this parable is a message for all of us who have become used to cheap grace. We want all the benefits without any cost.
John 15:16 says, 'You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you to go and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain.' We have been invited to God?s banquet for a purpose, which is to band together for the benefit of all including the most vulnerable.
To be a disciple is to choose to be chosen; to say yes to God?s choosing us to go and bear fruit. That is what we are created to do. This is our purpose.
Let?s not lose sight that it is a banquet to which we are invited, a celebration that we are attending, a fellowship that we are meant to enjoy. Coming to the banquet and sitting at the table with our brothers and sisters means growing in love and service. We become witnesses to the signs and wonders of God?s grace all around us.
God be with us as we discover together the ways and means to be in the adventure together.
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