Standing in the Breach
Pentecost 20; Exodus 32:1-14; Psalm 106:24; Matthew 22:1-14
Have you ever come down from the mountain
with wise precepts revealed by the Spirit,
strongly worded and carved on stone tablets,
and you know you must show them to others?
Then they slip from your grasp and are shattered
as you see the gold idol and revels.
Can you speak when it’s clear these won’t listen,
both their gold and their gratitude squandered?
Is it part of your calling to argue
against wrathful and harsh retribution?
Will you stand in the breach pleading mercy,
faithful forbears and covenant promise?
Have you ever gone out with a message
calling people to come to the banquet?
They make light of it, say they’re too busy
mistreat messengers, courting destruction.
Are you sent to the streets then to gather
good and bad to be guests at the banquet?
Wedding robes are free gifts, but if someone
does not wear one, he’s thrown into darkness.
In our world there are idols and revels,
and wise ethical principles shattered.
There’s disdain for the Son’s wedding banquet,
and refusing will have repercussions.
From the cross he said, “Father, forgive them
for they do not know what they are doing?”
Incarnation is willing to suffer
harm we do to the Earth and each other.
See, our God who is love is not vengeful.
The creation is loved into being
and made new in Christ’s dying and rising.
His commandment is “Love one another!”
Barbara Messner 8/10/2026
