Restoration is proclaimed today in the texts from the RomanCatholic Lectionary. The prophet Ezekiel reveals the plan of God to return the
Jews who have been exiled as a consequence of decisions to break the Covenant
relationship with God will be returned to Jerusalem as a sign to the pagan
nations of the faithfulness of God to His promise. The returnees will be
changed Friar Jude Wirnkler explains that “new heart” promised by the prophet
will be a new “centre of reason” where the Law will not be external to the
people but will be internalized and be part a people with a new Spirit in reconciled
resonance with God. This sign to the pagan nations of the Presence of God is
presented in the passage from the Gospel of Matthew, according to Friar Jude,
as a judgement parable. The mission of Jesus to bring life through intimate
communion with the Son of God is compared to the wedding banquet of a King. The
expected guests, the Jewish community, into which Jesus is born, reject the
invitation to accept the Spirit of New Life. The evangelist indicates that God
will present the sign of Jesus to the nations by inviting the pagans to be the
people who reveal Jesus. The change of heart of the Jews returning to Jerusalem
is also required of the pagans now called to be witnesses of Christ. The guess
who refused to wear the wedding gown, which Friar Jude believes was available
for all, is the decision not to accept the change of heart. The “New
Evangelization” which is underway in Christianity is again a sign to the
nations of the love and mercy of God inviting restoration and reconciliation to
all. What is the change of heart wedding gown being offered to modern
Christians? What outward sign to the nations will those wearing the new
evangelization wedding gown present?
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