Daily Readings - Thu Aug 22 2024
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, we encounter two powerful messages from Ezekiel and Matthew, each offering insights into God's invitation and our response. Ezekiel 36:23-28 presents a vision of hope and renewal for the Israelites in exile. God promises to sanctify His name, cleanse them from impurity, and give them a new heart and spirit. This transformation is not just individual but communal, restoring their relationship with God and each other. The context is one of exile and despair, yet Ezekiel's prophecy brings hope, assuring them of a future where God's Spirit will dwell within them, enabling them to live according to His precepts.
In Matthew 22:1-14, Jesus uses the parable of the wedding feast to illustrate God's invitation to His kingdom. The king's generosity is met with indifference and hostility, leading to the destruction of those who refuse the invitation. The king then invites all, regardless of their worthiness, yet emphasizes the need for proper attire, symbolizing readiness to live according to kingdom values. This parable, spoken during Jesus' ministry, challenges listeners to consider their response to God's call and the importance of living in accordance with that call.
Together, these readings highlight the interplay between God's invitation and our response. Ezekiel focuses on the internal transformation God provides, while Matthew emphasizes the external preparation required. Both stress the necessity of accepting God's grace and living in a manner that reflects that grace. In our daily lives, this means being open to transformation and mindful of how our actions reflect our commitment to God. The moral lesson is clear: we are called to embrace God's invitation fully, allowing His Spirit to transform us and guide our actions, ensuring we are prepared to live as His people.