Daily Readings - Fri Mar 14 2025
Ezekiel
21But if the impious man does penance for all his sins which he has committed, and if he keeps all my precepts, and accomplishes judgment and justice, then he shall certainly live, and he shall not die22I will not remember all his iniquities, which he has worked; by his justice, which he has worked, he shall live23How could it be my will that an impious man should die, says the Lord God, and not that he should be converted from his ways and live24But if a just man turns himself away from his justice, and does iniquity in accord with all the abominations that the impious man so often does, why should he live? All his justices, which he has accomplished, shall not be remembered. By the transgression, in which he has transgressed, and by his sin, in which he has sinned, by these he shall die25And you have said, ‘The way of the Lord is not fair.’ Therefore, listen, O house of Israel. How could it be that my way is not fair? And is it not instead your ways that are perverse26For when the just man turns himself away from his justice, and commits iniquity, he shall die by this; by the injustice that he has worked, he shall die27And when the impious man turns himself away from his impiety, which he has done, and accomplishes judgment and justice, he shall cause his own soul to live28For by considering and turning himself away from all his iniquities, which he has worked, he shall certainly live, and he shall not die
Matthew
20For I say to you, that unless your justice has surpassed that of the scribes and the Pharisees you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven21You have heard that it was said to the ancients: ‘You shall not murder; whoever will have murdered shall be liable to judgment.22But I say to you, that anyone who becomes angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment. But whoever will have called his brother, ‘Idiot,’ shall be liable to the council. Then, whoever will have called him, ‘Worthless,’ shall be liable to the fires of Hell23Therefore, if you offer your gift at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you24leave your gift there, before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to your brother, and then you may approach and offer your gift25Be reconciled with your adversary quickly, while you are still on the way with him, lest perhaps the adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you will be thrown in prison26Amen I say to you, that you shall not go forth from there, until you have repaid the last quarter
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore themes of personal responsibility and moral integrity. Ezekiel emphasizes that our actions shape our destiny, urging us to turn away from sin and embrace righteousness. He counters the belief that one suffers for another's sins, highlighting individual accountability. This message underscores God's justice, where each person's choices determine their fate.
In the Gospel, Matthew expands on this theme as Jesus teaches that true righteousness goes beyond outward actions. He deepens the commandment against murder to include anger and insults, stressing the need for reconciliation. Jesus illustrates this by advising us to mend relationships before worship and to resolve disputes promptly, highlighting the consequences of unresolved conflicts.
Both readings connect through their focus on personal responsibility and the depth of moral integrity required. Ezekiel's call to individual accountability aligns with Jesus' emphasis on heartfelt righteousness. They remind us that our choices have consequences and that we must actively seek reconciliation and live with integrity.
In daily life, this means recognizing the impact of our actions and attitudes, turning away from sin, and seeking forgiveness. We are called to reflect on our interactions, ensuring they are marked by love and respect. The moral lesson is clear: God's justice is fair, and our commitment to holiness and reconciliation is essential. Let us strive to live in accordance with these teachings, embracing the justice and mercy that define God's love.