Daily Bible Reading - August 22,2020

 

of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary 

1st READING

God desires to live among us forever. He will never abandon us. When we feel that He is distant, it is because we have moved away from Him. He promises to walk with us until the end of time. Let us examine our hearts and honestly look at what our response has been to His promises.

Ezekiel 43:1-7

1 The angel led me to the gate which faces the east, 2 and there I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. I heard a sound like the roaring of many waters, and the earth shone with his glory. 3 The vision was like that which I had seen when he came to destroy the city, and like that which I had seen by the river Chebar. I fell prone 4 as the glory of the Lord entered the temple by way of the gate which faces the east, 5 but spirit lifted me up and brought me to the inner court. And I saw that the temple was filled with the glory of the Lord. 6 Then I heard someone speaking to me from the temple, while the man stood beside me. 7 The voice said to me: Son of man, this is where my throne shall be, this is where I will set the soles of my feet; here I will dwell among the children of Israel forever.

PSALM

Psalm 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14

R: The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.

9 I will hear what God proclaims; the Lord—for he proclaims peace. 10 Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land. (R) 11 Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. 12 Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven. (R) 13 The Lord himself will give his benefits; our land shall yield its increase. 14 Justice shall walk before him, and salvation, along the way of his steps. (R)

 

GOSPEL

The letter of the Law is easy to discern compared with actually putting it into practice. I am sure we have all discovered this many times when we knew what we should do but were unable to bring ourselves to do it. We need the grace of God more than ever when we are in such situations. Let us pray for the humility to cry out to Him when they occur. Let us never allow pride or arrogance to rob us of the opportunity to do the things we know we should.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

You have but one Father in heaven; you have but one master, the Christ.

Matthew 23:1-12

1 Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. 3 Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. 5 All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. 6 They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, 7 greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ 8 As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. 10 Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you must be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

Reflect: “do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. you plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility.” – St. Augustine 

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T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST 

thank You, Lord, for: 

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