1ST READING
The
shepherds have failed in their duty to care for the sheep and suffered
the Lord’s ire. They have feasted on the food of the flock and allowed
them to fall prey to ravenous wolves. Judgment Day will not be a good
experience for the shepherds. Let us pray for all the shepherds in the
Church that they will be true to their mission and care for their flock.
Ezekiel 34:1-11
1 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 Son
of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, in these words
prophesy to them: Thus says the Lord God: Woe to the shepherds of Israel
who have been pasturing themselves! Should not shepherds, rather,
pasture sheep? 3 You have fed off their milk, worn their wool, and slaughtered the fatlings, but the sheep you have not pastured. 4 You
did not strengthen the weak nor heal
the sick nor bind up the injured. You did not bring back the strayed nor
seek the lost, but you lorded it over them harshly and brutally. 5 So they were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and became food for all the wild beasts. My sheep were scattered 6 and
wandered over all the mountains and high hills; my sheep were scattered
over the whole earth, with no one to look after them or to search for
them. 7 Therefore, shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: 8 As
I live, says the Lord God,
because my sheep have been given over to pillage, and because my sheep
have become food for every wild beast, for lack of a shepherd; because
my shepherds did not look after my sheep, but pastured themselves and
did not pasture my sheep; 9 because of this, shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: 10 Thus
says the Lord God: I swear I am coming against these shepherds. I will
claim my sheep from them and put a stop to their shepherding my sheep so
that they may no longer pasture themselves. I will save my sheep, that they may no longer be food for their mouths. 11 For thus says the Lord God: I myself will look after and tend my sheep.
P S A L M
Psalm 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6
R: The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; 3 he refreshes my soul. (R) He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your
rod and your staff that give me courage. (R) 5 You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (R) 6 Only
goodness and kindness will follow me all the days of my life; and I
shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come. (R)
GOSPEL
Jesus
is our Lord and Master. Without His mercy, we will be condemned to
death because of our sins. We must never compare with others how God
treats us. He treats us differently and knows what each of us needs. He
willingly provides all that we need. Let us not resent what God gives to
others but be grateful for what He has given us.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
The word of God is living and effective, able to discern the reflections and thoughts of the heart.
Matthew 20:1-16
1 Jesus
told his disciples this parable: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a
landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 Going out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.’
5 So they went off. And he went out again around noon, and around three o’clock, and did likewise. 6 Going out about five o’clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ 7 They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’ 8 When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay,
beginning with the last and ending with the first.’ 9 When those who had started about five o’clock came, each received the usual daily wage. 10 So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. 11 And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, 12 saying, ‘These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’ 13 He said to one of them in reply, ‘My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? 14 Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? 15 Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’ 16 Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
think: Let us pray for all the shepherds in the Church that they will be true to their mission and care for their flock.
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 Isaiah 5-8
No comments:
Post a Comment