Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church
Readings: Ezekiel 36:23-28; Psalm 51:12-13, 14-15, 18-19; Matthew 22:1-14
Summary
A New Creation
I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will pour clean water on you and wash away all your sins. (Ez 36:26, 25).
A Response to an Invitation
If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts (Psalm 95:8).
All Are Welcome
Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast. Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.’ (Mt 22:4b, 9).
Be Reconciled with the Lord and one another
But when the king came in to meet the guests he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. He said to him, ‘My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?’ But he was reduced to silence. 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.’ (Mt 22:11-13).
Reflection
Given such a beautiful invitation to be restored and to enter the heavenly banquet as Ezekiel and Jesus describe for us today, it takes David to give voice to our inner awareness for conversion, that is, acceptance of the invitation requires a new orientation of honesty.
A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners shall return to you.
For you are not pleased with sacrifices;
should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it.
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;
a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
(Psalm 51:12-13, 14-15, 18-19)
Personal Reflection
Saturday (Aug 22) I am going to perform a baptism. In the first years of my ordination I did many baptisms – weekly and multiple. Ever since it has been sporadic and infrequent but always wonderful to enter into this sacred purpose.
(1) Enter into the joy of the parents who welcomed this child as a gift from God -the source of life, and who wishes to bestow his own life on this little one.
(2) So that this child, clothed in the baptismal garment, may one day come to the Feast of Heaven.
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082026.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry