May the Lord give you peace, grace, and health in the Holy Spirit. It is 18th August 2022. We reflect on Ezekiel 36:23-28 and Matthew 22:1-14.
“What requires courage is being willed to disappoint and upset all those friends and family members who want us to stay the way we are because they want to stay the way they are. It’s being prepared to redefine success and failure and to become a fool if need be. At heart, it’s being willing to receive information from the darkness within, so there can be less of us buried, and more resurrected.” Says David Weale
God invited the people of Israel first to experience God’s love and holiness. Because of their stubbornness and stony heart, they deviated from the path of holiness. God vows to give a new heart and new spirit not just out of love for Israel but of God’s own name. The Psalmist intercedes, “I shall pour clean water over you and all your sins will be washed away.” (Ez.36:25). God’s action of purification enables the people of Israel to re-enter into the Promised land.
A mother asked her son why he fell out of bed. He replied, “I guess I slept too close to the place I got in.” That tells the story of many of us. Since our lives are filled with “fallings,” we did not advance in virtues after becoming a believer.
“For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Mt.22:14).
Two things we all need to keep in mind from the story of the royal wedding. Refusing the invitation of God or lack of preparation to attend to the invitation annoys and offends God.
A wedding garment is an image of works of generosity expected of every faithful Jew.
“Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” (Romans 13:14). “Rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and repents of evil.” (Joel 2:13).
Let us put on the works of mercy to behave in what we believe. May God bless you.