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THURSDAY, TWENTIETH\u00a0WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME<\/strong><\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n Memorial of St Bernard <\/strong><\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n Ez 36: 23-28\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ps 51: 12-15, 18-19\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mt 22: 1-14<\/strong><\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n HEART PREPARED FOR GOD<\/strong><\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/p>\r\n Sometimes the problem in our spiritual life is not that God stops calling us, but that our hearts grow distant from Him. Before we can truly respond to God\u2019s invitation, our hearts must first be renewed by His grace. Prophet Ezekiel speaks about God\u2019s promise to restore His people. Israel had failed to remain faithful to the covenant, and their actions had brought dishonour to God\u2019s name among the nations. Yet God does not abandon them. Instead, He promises a profound spiritual renewal. The Lord speaks about cleansing His people, gathering them again and most importantly giving them a new heart and a new spirit. This transformation is not merely an external reform but an inner change welcoming them to live according to God\u2019s ways.<\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/p>\r\n The emphasis is striking: true obedience to God flows from a renewed heart. When the heart is hardened, God\u2019s law feels like a burden; when the heart is renewed by grace, His will becomes a path of life. Ezekiel\u2019s prophecy helps us understand how such a response becomes possible. God Himself prepares us by changing our hearts. The \u2018new heart\u2019 spoken of by the prophet allows us to recognize the value of God\u2019s invitation and to live in a way worthy of it. Today the Church honours Bernard of Clairvaux. He often reminded Christians that the Christian life begins not with human effort but with God\u2019s love working within us. He once wrote: \u201cThe measure of loving God is to love Him without measure.\u201d Such love becomes possible only when the heart is renewed by grace.<\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/p>\r\n Today we are invited to the banquet of the Lord, to a life of communion with Him. But the invitation is not enough by itself. God desires to reshape our hearts so that we can truly live as His people. Therefore, let us ask God to renew our hearts. When He cleanses our hearts from selfishness, fills us with His Spirit and teaches us to walk in His ways, we become ready guests at the banquet of His kingdom. A renewed heart recognizes the gift of God\u2019s invitation and joyfully responds.<\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n Response: I will sprinkle clean water on you, \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Copyright \u00a92013-2026 \u00a9Springs of Living Water\u00a0 https:\/\/springs.carmelmedia.in<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" THURSDAY, TWENTIETH\u00a0WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME \u00a0 Memorial of St Bernard \u00a0 Ez 36: 23-28\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ps 51: 12-15, 18-19\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mt 22: 1-14 \u00a0\u00a0 HEART PREPARED FOR GOD \u00a0 Sometimes the problem in our spiritual life is not that God stops calling us, but that our hearts grow distant from Him. Before we can truly respond to … <\/p>\n
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and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\r\n
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