The prophets always engaged in symbolic behaviour - what we might call 'street theatre' - to get their point across. Sometimes actions speak louder than words. Ezekiel packs his bags every night and sneaks through the walls of the city. When people ask where he is going, he responds with the news that he is going into exile just like all of them will in the near future. The reason: they are spiritually blind and deaf to God's instruction even though they think of themselves as quite religious. They played power politics instead of trusting in God and now their world is crashing down around them. We should always ask ourselves if we are really open to God's Word or are we just pretending. Are we people of compassion and justice or are we trapped in selfishness and fear?

We always expect that God and other people will forgive us for the wrongs we have committed. If we will think carefully it will become clear that we have been forgiven much. But the parable is very clear: we must be willing to extend that same forgiveness to others. If we are not willing to do so (or to at least try), then we should not even ask on our own behalf. Sometimes people are very hard on others but make all kinds of excuses about their own actions. We are asked by God to share the graces and mercies we have received with others. Forgiveness in both big and small ways is how we heal ourselves, our country and society, our church, and our world. Each day is an opportunity to take part in this sacred work.