Daily Readings - Sat Aug 18 2018
Ezekiel
1And the word of the Lord came to me, saying:2"Why is it that you circulate among yourselves this parable, as a proverb in the land of Israel, saying: ‘The fathers ate a bitter grape, and the teeth of the sons have been affected.3As I live, says the Lord God, this parable shall no longer be a proverb for you in Israel4Behold, all souls are mine. Just as the soul of the father is mine, so also is the soul of the son. The soul that sins, the same shall die5And if a man is just, and he accomplishes judgment and justice6and if he does not eat upon the mountains, nor lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, and if he has not violated the wife of his neighbor, nor approached a menstruating woman7and if he has not grieved any man, but has restored the collateral to the debtor, if he has seized nothing by violence, has given his bread to the hungry, and has covered the naked with a garment8if he has not lent upon usury, nor taken any increase, if he has averted his hand from iniquity, and has executed true judgment between man and man9if he has walked in my precepts and kept my judgments, so that he acts in accord with truth, then he is just; he shall certainly live, says the Lord God10But if he raises a son who is a robber, who sheds blood, and who does any of these things13who lends upon usury, and who takes an increase, then shall he live? He shall not live. Since he has done all these detestable things, he shall certainly die. His blood shall be upon him30Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge each one according to his ways, says the Lord God. Be converted, and do penance for all your iniquities, and then iniquity will not be your ruin31Cast all your transgressions, by which you have transgressed, away from you, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. And then why should you die, O house of Israel32For I do not desire the death of one who dies, says the Lord God. So return and live.
Matthew
13Then they brought to him little children, so that he would place his hands upon them and pray. But the disciples rebuked them14Yet truly, Jesus said to them: "Allow the little children to come to me, and do not choose to prohibit them. For the kingdom of heaven is among such as these.15And when he had imposed his hands upon them, he went away from there
Sermon
In today's readings, Ezekiel and Matthew guide us on a journey of personal responsibility and humility, essential for our spiritual growth. Ezekiel emphasizes that each individual is accountable for their actions, not bound by the sins of their ancestors. He calls for repentance, urging us to cast away our transgressions and seek a new heart and spirit. This message, directed to the Israelites in exile, reminds us that our moral choices shape our destiny and that we have the power to change our path.
In Matthew, Jesus teaches us about the importance of humility and trust. By welcoming children, he illustrates that the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who approach God with innocence and dependence. This lesson, taught during Jesus' ministry, highlights the need for humility in our relationship with God, mirroring Ezekiel's call for personal accountability.
Together, these readings remind us to reflect on our actions and attitudes. We are called to take responsibility for our sins and seek repentance, while also embracing humility and trust in God. Our spiritual journey is personal, requiring us to approach God with the innocence of a child and to own our moral choices. Let us strive to live with accountability and humility, recognizing that our relationship with God is both deeply personal and profoundly transformative.