1ST READING
The
final line of today’s First Reading is quite scary. Ezekiel tells the
people that they will rot in their sins — the time for mourning and
weeping, that
is conversion, has passed and now the consequences of sin, the tragedy
of exile and the destruction of Jewish society is at hand. The
consequences of sin are horrible, something society is beginning to
realize once again as it confronts all the issues associated with
permissiveness and the breakup of the family unit. Selfishness and the
obsession with pleasure are wreaking havoc among the youth, to the point
where many live totally destructive and irresponsible
lives.
Ezekiel 24:15-23
15 The word of the Lord came to me: 16 Son of man, by a sudden blow I am taking away from you the delight of your eyes, but do not mourn or weep or shed any tears. 17 Groan
in silence, make no lament for the dead, bind on your turban, put your
sandals on your feet, do not cover your beard, and do not eat the
customary bread. 18 That evening my wife died, and the next morning I did as I had been commanded.
19 Then
the people asked me, “Will you not tell us what all these things that
you are doing mean for us?” I therefore spoke to the people that
morning, 20 saying to them: Thus the word of the Lord came to me: 21 Say
to the house of Israel: Thus says the Lord God: I will now desecrate my
sanctuary, the stronghold of your pride, the delight of your eyes, the
desire of your soul. The sons and daughters you left behind shall fall
by the sword. 22 [24] Ezekiel shall be a sign for
you: all that he did you shall do when it happens. Thus you shall know that I am the Lord. 23 [22] You shall do as I have done, not covering your beards nor eating the customary bread. 24 [23] Your
turbans shall remain on your heads, your sandals on your feet. You
shall not mourn or weep, but you shall rot away because of your sins and
groan one to another.
P S A L M
Deuteronomy 32:18-19, 20, 21
R: You have forgotten God who gave you birth.
18 You were unmindful of the Rock that begot you, You forgot the God who gave you birth. 19 When the Lord saw this, he was filled with loathing and anger toward his sons and daughters. (R) 20 “I
will hide my face from them,” he said, “and see what will then become
of them. What a fickle race they are, sons with no loyalty in them!” (R) 21
Since
they have provoked me with their ‘no-god’ and angered me with their
vain idols, I will provoke them with a ‘no-people’; with a foolish
nation I will anger them.” (R)
GOSPEL
A
holy life is not simply about avoiding sin — it is much more than that.
Living a holy life is about actively pursuing conversion of heart and
mind to the will of God. The young man is halfway to this goal. He may
not be a big sinner, but he is that unwilling to surrender his life to
the will of God. The text indicates that his greater focus is the
pursuit of material things and wealth.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 19:16-22
16 A young man approached Jesus and said, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” 17 He
answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who
is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18 He
asked him, “Which ones?” And Jesus replied, “‘You shall not kill; you
shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false
witness; 19 honor your father and your mother’; and ‘you shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” 20 The young man said to him, “All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus
said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and
give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come,
follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
think: Living a holy life is about actively pursuing conversion of heart and mind to the will of God.
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: __________________
____________________________________
God’s special verse/thought for me today_
_____________________________________
READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Job 14-17
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