Daily Readings - Mon Aug 19 2024
Ezekiel
15And the word of the Lord came to me, saying16"Son of man, behold, I am taking away from you, with a stroke, the desire of your eyes. And you shall not lament, and you shall not weep. And your tears shall not flow down17Groan silently; you shall make no mourning for the dead. Let the band of your crown be on you, and let your shoes be on your feet. And you shall not cover your face, nor shall you eat the food of those who mourn.18Therefore, I spoke to the people in the morning. And my wife died in the evening. And in the morning, I did just as he had instructed me19And the people said to me: "Why won’t you explain to us what these things signify, which you are doing?20And I said to them: "The word of the Lord came to me, saying21‘Speak to the house of Israel: Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will defile my sanctuary, the pride of your realm, and the desire of your eyes, and the dread of your soul. Your sons and your daughters, whom you have forsaken, will fall by the sword.22And so, you shall do just as I have done. You shall not cover your faces, and you shall not eat the food of those who mourn23You shall have crowns on your heads, and shoes on your feet. You shall not lament, and you shall not weep. Instead, you will waste away in your iniquities, and each one will groan to his brother24‘And Ezekiel shall be a portent for you. In accord with all that he has done, so shall you do, when this will happen. And you shall know that I am the Lord God.’
Matthew
16And behold, someone approached and said to him, "Good Teacher, what good should I do, so that I may have eternal life?17And he said to him: "Why do you question me about what is good? One is good: God. But if you wish to enter into life, observe the commandments.18He said to him, "Which?" And Jesus said: "You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not give false testimony19Honor your father and your mother. And, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.20The young man said to him: "All these I have kept from my childhood. What is still lacking for me?21Jesus said to him: "If you are willing to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and then you will have treasure in heaven. And come, follow me.22And when the young man had heard this word, he went away sad, for he had many possessions
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two profound stories that invite us to reflect on faith, sacrifice, and the call to follow God wholeheartedly. The first reading from Ezekiel presents a striking scene where the prophet is commanded by God not to mourn the death of his wife. This was not just a personal tragedy but a symbolic act meant to convey a message to the people of Israel. Ezekiel’s wife was the “desire of his eyes,” and her sudden loss was a sign of the devastating losses Israel would soon face—losses that would leave them without their temple, their children, and their sense of security. Ezekiel’s obedience to God’s command, despite his grief, becomes a powerful lesson in trust and faith. He is called to embody the suffering of his people and to point them to the ultimate truth: that sin has consequences, but God’s judgment is always an invitation to repentance and restoration.
In the Gospel, we meet a young man who approaches Jesus with a question about eternal life. He is wealthy and has kept the commandments since childhood, but when Jesus asks him to sell his possessions and follow him, he hesitates. This story is not just about wealth; it’s about the human heart’s tendency to cling to what is familiar and comfortable. The young man’s sadness reveals the depth of his attachment to his possessions and the security they represent. Jesus is not condemning wealth itself but inviting the young man—and us—to examine where our true treasure lies. The call to follow Jesus is a call to radical love and trust, one that requires us to let go of anything that holds us back from living fully for God.
Both readings challenge us to reflect on our own lives. Are there things in our lives that we hold onto so tightly that they prevent us from following God more freely? Ezekiel’s story reminds us that faith often requires sacrifice and trust in God’s plan, even when it’s difficult to understand. The rich young man’s story invites us to consider where our hearts are rooted—whether in the fleeting comforts of this world or in the eternal promises of God. Let us ask ourselves: What is the “treasure” we are clinging to? What is the “desire of our eyes” that we may need to surrender? In letting go, we open ourselves to the possibility of a deeper relationship with God and a life lived in true freedom and joy.