Daily Readings - Mon Aug 20 2018
Ezekiel
15The word of the LORD came to me:16"Son of man, behold, I am about to take the delight of your eyes away from you at a stroke; yet you shall not mourn or weep, nor shall your tears run down.17Sigh, but not aloud; make no mourning for the dead. Bind on your turban, and put your shoes on your feet; do not cover your lips, nor eat the bread of men."18So I spoke to the people in the morning, and at evening my wife died. And on the next morning I did as I was commanded.19And the people said to me, "Will you not tell us what these things mean for us, that you are acting thus?"20Then I said to them, "The word of the LORD came to me:21'Say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the pride of your power, the delight of your eyes, and the yearning of your soul, and your sons and your daughters whom you left behind shall fall by the sword.22And you shall do as I have done; you shall not cover your lips, nor eat the bread of men.23Your turbans shall be on your heads and your shoes on your feet; you shall not mourn or weep, but you shall rot away in your iniquities and groan to one another.24Thus shall Ezekiel be to you a sign; according to all that he has done you shall do. When this comes, then you will know that I am the Lord GOD.'
Matthew
16And behold, a man came up to him, saying, "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?"17And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments."18He said to him, "Which ones?" And Jesus said, "You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness,19Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself."20The young man said to him, "All these I have kept. What do I still lack?"21Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."22When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful messages that invite us to reflect on our commitment to God and our detachment from worldly attachments. The first reading from Ezekiel presents a prophet who is asked by God to endure the loss of his wife without mourning, serving as a sign to the people of Israel of the impending judgment they will face. This stark message underscores the gravity of their sins and the necessity of accepting God's will without complaint. Ezekiel's obedience, despite personal grief, illustrates a deep trust in God's plan, even when it is difficult to understand.
The Gospel reading from Matthew introduces a rich young man who approaches Jesus, seeking eternal life. Jesus outlines the commandments, and the man claims to have followed them all. However, when Jesus asks him to sell his possessions and follow Him, the man hesitates, unable to part with his wealth. This encounter highlights the challenge of material detachment and the radical commitment required for discipleship. The man's sadness reflects the struggle between worldly attachments and spiritual aspirations.
Both readings challenge us to examine our own commitments and attachments. Ezekiel's story calls us to trust in God's providence, even in times of loss or hardship. The Gospel invites us to consider what holds us back from fully following Christ. In our daily lives, we are called to let go of the things that hinder our relationship with God, whether they be material possessions or emotional attachments. The moral lesson here is one of faith and detachment—trusting in God's will and being willing to sacrifice for a deeper spiritual life. May we, like Ezekiel, embrace God's plan with courage and, like the rich young man, reflect on what may be holding us back from following Christ more fully.