Consolation and Desolation are major themes in the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises and can be found in today's readings. Ezekiel speaks of the cleansing water that purifies the heart and changes it from stone to "natural" with a dose of God's own spirit. Ah...how good it feels to have this inner transformation! (cf. Ez36: 23-28) The parable of the wedding garment, on the other hand, speaks of the expulsion of the guest from the wedding feast because he lacks the proper clothing. He is cast, bound hand and foot, into darkness where there is wailing and gnashing of teeth. (cf. Mt 22: 1-14). What a fate!
We don't know what state his heart was in, but can guess that it might have been at the stoney stage. The garment might symbolize mercy, compassion, love, and that too was missing, hence this guest was certainly in a bad state of desolation. It would seem that the ideal stance in the Kingdom, is to have that pure heart and proper "garment", that is a life of mercy,, compassion and love. These we can strive for, but the utter consolation is that the clean heart and good works come from God...his gifts to us. Let us open our hearts and lives to receive and live them.
Bro. Rene
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