Daily Readings - Thu Aug 18 2022
Ezekiel
23And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.24For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.25Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.26A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.27And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.28And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
Matthew
1And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,2The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,3And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.4Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.5But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:6And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.7But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.8Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.9Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.10So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.11And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:12And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.13Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.14For many are called, but few are chosen.
Sermon
In today's readings, Ezekiel and Matthew present powerful messages about God's invitation and our response. Ezekiel 36:23-28 speaks of God's promise to restore Israel, offering cleansing and a new heart, symbolizing spiritual renewal. Matthew 22:1-14 uses a parable to illustrate the kingdom of heaven as a wedding invitation, where initial invitees refuse, leading to others being invited, emphasizing the importance of accepting God's call.
The context of Ezekiel's prophecy is one of hope during exile, reassuring the Israelites of their future restoration. Matthew's parable, set in Jesus' teachings, highlights the consequences of rejecting God's invitation and the importance of spiritual preparedness. Both readings underscore the transformative power of God's grace and the need for a willing response.
Reflecting on these readings, we are reminded to embrace God's invitation in our lives. Like Ezekiel's promise, we are offered spiritual renewal. Like Matthew's parable, we must respond with openness and preparedness. The moral lesson is clear: accept God's invitation with humility and readiness, allowing His grace to transform us. Let us live in response to His call, ensuring our hearts are prepared to receive His love and guidance.