“I WILL DWELL IN THE MIDST OF THE SONS OF ISRAEL FOREVER” (Ezek 43:7)

⏰Saturday of the Twentieth Week of Ordinary Time 2 (25 August 2018)

📖Ezek 43:1-7a; Ps 85:9ab and 10, 11-12, 13-14 (R.v.10b); Matt 23:1-12

The people of Israel lamented the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem and their being taken to exile. In all that, they concluded that God has abandoned them. Ezekiel’s message was one of consolation and restoration. The vision of God in the foreign land is an indication that God cannot be caged or restricted.

Today’s prophecy (Ezek 43:1-7a) is an assurance that God is going to dwell in the rebuilt temple. Remember that in this Christian era, that rebuilt temple is our body (cf. 1Cor 6:19). We are expected to live our lives in awareness of God’s presence in us. That would make us live lives of internal conversion instead of living hypocritical lives which Jesus condemned in the Pharisees (Matt 23:1-12).

Don’t ever forget! It is not what people see that matters but what God sees in us. Yet, we are expected to be examples that others must follow.

May God help us in our daily journey of faith to be inspiring agents of evangelization. Amen.

Remember in your prayers today, the deacons that would be ordained Catholic Priests today, that they may be authentic witnesses for Christ in the world.

Have a faithful and successful weekend. Peace be with you.