Aug 18 - Homily for Today

+ Our readings today are about refreshment, regeneration, rebirth that is always in store for God’s people even when they willfully turn away from him and try to go it their own ways. It is just amazing how God respects us as individuals and will not force our attention, focus or energy – we are perfectly free to choose the right, the good, the beautiful and the truthful. While making opposite choices are possible – they go against the basic inclination and guiding star and moral compass of conscience.

Yes, God allows us to learn by trial and error – but we must – when our consciences urges us – strive for the nobler, the higher, the decisions that are truly inspired by God – and not of the spirit of the world.

In the first reading we see how God is so willing now to take his wayward children back – because their consciences are working properly now – and he will sprinkle clean water on them, and cleanse them from all their impurities and idols. He will remove their hardened and atrophied hearts – due to willfulness and sin – and he will give them new hearts of flesh – hearts modeled after the fore coming heart of his own Son, Jesus. And then we shall live by his statutes and commandments, rather than by our own whims and fancies.

In the gospel passage we see Jesus warning those who live in the world to be ready at any moment to give an accounting of self and operation of conscience. At any moment we might be summoned to appear at the great wedding banquet that surely awaits us all. And there we had better be wearing the festal garment of right choices, right desire, right living.

Or we will not be admitted – and will be sent out into the everlasting darkness – where there will be weeping, wailing and the grinding of teeth.

Oh yes, many are invited to the banquet – but only those who take the invitation seriously and live like they believe it – will actually see the inside of the banquet hall.

May we be among the sensible ones today – and let us help others get in touch with the hearts and consciences so that they can join us for that scrumptious feast that will last forever.