Vindicating God's Holiness

Reflection on Today's Readings Memorial of St. Bernard, Thursday, 20th Week in Ordinary Time Year II, 20th August, 2020
Texts: Ez. 36:23-28; Ps. 51:12-19; Matt. 22:1-14
God is holy, but how do we know that God is holy. We know that God is holy from his demand for holiness; he demands holiness from all who want to be associated with him. When God says he will vindicate the holiness of his name, it means he is going to cleanse his people. Hence, God says, I will pour clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleanness .... A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you". The new heart God shall give is the heart of flesh. Heart of flesh is the heart that is ready to be convinced and believed the truth; it is a submissive heart. God says, "I will take out of your flesh the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh". A new heart is about new perspective and approach to life, and new orientation.
The new spirit is about new zeal, courage and strength. God shall renew our strength, zeal and courage. The new spirit is also about renewing our enthusiasm in doing his will; we shall find joy in doing his will.
What God promised in the first reading is a redemption, it is a kind of spiritual renewal that cumulate in walking in the ways of the Lord. Hence, God says, "I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statues and be careful to observe my ordinances". When we keep the word of God it continues to renew us.
Jesus, in today's gospel, tells us about the people with a heart of stone; those who refuse to yield to the call of God. Their end is destruction.
God often calls us to holiness. Today's Readings remind us once again of this call to be holy and bid us to yield to God's call.

May God create in us a pure heart, renew a steadfast spirit within us. Amen.

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke