Today’s first reading was from EZEKIEL 36 (23-38). It is a story telling how God is going the change the hearts of the people of Israel. Reading these passages you are left to wonder what did the people do that required God to change their hearts? Obviously, they had separated themselves from God in one fashion or another. They had gotten off track and their actions told God that they needed a change of heart.
The theme of actions defining people is reinforced in the Gospel reading from Mathew 22 (1-14). This parable is about those invited to the wedding feast by the king. Although, it is rich with opportunities to illustrate what God expects of us, I am going to focus on those who were invited and did not come.
These people either ignored the invitation or killed the servants sent to invite them. What did their actions say? Obviously, they thought they were too busy to come or they found sport in killing those the king sent.
What were they doing that kept them from coming? It talks about a farmer and a businessman that were dissuaded from join the fun at the wedding feast by their daily lives. Really, if we are honest, they were selfish. They thought what they had going was the most important thing. They did not considered the king’s efforts important.
How often in our lives do we focus on us and ignore the things that others do for us? Whose actions do we take for granted? I can say I do this often. What do my actions say to these people?
When I take in both readings and consider the common themes I am struck that each invite us to listen to God and act on his commands. We are invited to act in ways that make our hearts capable of accepting God’s love. We must also accept His invitation to be welcomed into His kingdom.
God expects us to express our love for Him and others with our actions.
GVW4U 