Luke tells the same parable in a simpler, less militant way. (Luke 14:16-24)  According to Luke, the host invited three friends, but each was predisposed.  One had just bought some land, another five yoke of oxen, and another had just gotten married. Given the particulars, each had a reasonable excuse.  Years ago, a friend of mine put this together in a song and sang it to the tune of "The Beverly Hillbillies."  It went like this:

"I cannot come to the banquet, excuse me, I pray,
I've j…