Daily Readings - Sat Aug 17 2024
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, we encounter two powerful messages about responsibility, justice, and the call to humility. The first reading from Ezekiel emphasizes the importance of individual accountability before God. Ezekiel rejects the notion that one generation’s sins can determine the fate of another, insisting instead that each person is responsible for their own actions. He outlines the qualities of a just person—someone who avoids injustice, cares for the needy, and lives according to God’s ways. Ezekiel then calls the people to conversion, urging them to cast away their sins and seek a new heart and spirit. This passage reminds us that our choices matter and that God desires our repentance and renewal.
The Gospel reading from Matthew shifts our focus to the humility and trust of children. Jesus rebukes his disciples for turning away the little ones, declaring that the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who approach God with the simplicity and openness of a child. This teaching challenges us to let go of pride and self-reliance, embracing instead a posture of dependence on God. Just as Ezekiel calls for a new heart, Jesus invites us to rediscover the innocence and trust that allows us to receive God’s grace fully.
Together, these readings invite us to reflect on our own lives. Are we taking responsibility for our actions, or do we shift blame? Are we living with justice and compassion toward others? And are we approaching God with the humility and trust of a child? Ezekiel’s call to conversion and Jesus’ blessing of the children remind us that God desires our hearts to be renewed and our spirits to be transformed. Let us strive to live in such a way that we reflect the justice, mercy, and humility that God calls us to, trusting in His promise of new life.