Daily Readings - Wed Aug 12 2020
Ezekiel
1Then he cried in my ears with a loud voice, saying, "Bring near the executioners of the city, each with his destroying weapon in his hand."2And behold, six men came from the direction of the upper gate, which faces north, each with his weapon for slaughter in his hand, and with them was a man clothed in linen, with a writing case at his waist. And they went in and stood beside the bronze altar.3Now the glory of the God of Israel had gone up from the cherub on which it rested to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed in linen, who had the writing case at his waist.4And the LORD said to him, "Pass through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in it."5And to the others he said in my hearing, "Pass through the city after him, and strike. Your eye shall not spare, and you shall show no pity.6Kill old men outright, young men and maidens, little children and women, but touch no one on whom is the mark. And begin at my sanctuary." So they began with the elders who were before the house.7Then he said to them, "Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain. Go out." So they went out and struck in the city.
18Then the glory of the LORD went out from the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubim.19And the cherubim lifted up their wings and mounted up from the earth before my eyes as they went out, with the wheels beside them. And they stood at the entrance of the east gate of the house of the LORD, and the glory of the God of Israel was over them.20These were the living creatures that I saw underneath the God of Israel by the Chebar canal; and I knew that they were cherubim.21Each had four faces, and each four wings, and underneath their wings the likeness of human hands.22And as for the likeness of their faces, they were the same faces whose appearance I had seen by the Chebar canal. Each one of them went straight forward.
Matthew
15"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.16But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.18Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.19Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.20For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter profound lessons on judgment, mercy, and community. The first reading from Ezekiel presents a vision of divine judgment where the faithful are marked and spared, while the unrepentant face consequences. This vision, occurring during the Babylonian exile, underscores God’s justice and the importance of remaining faithful amidst turmoil. The Gospel from Matthew shifts focus to community dynamics, offering a structured approach to conflict resolution and emphasizing the power of united prayer.
Both readings, though distinct, intertwine themes of judgment and mercy. Ezekiel’s vision highlights God’s justice and the sparing of the faithful, while Matthew’s teaching provides a communal process for addressing sin, encouraging reconciliation. Together, they remind us that while God is just, His mercy is ever-present, inviting us to repentance and unity.
In our daily lives, these teachings call us to balance justice with mercy, both individually and communally. We are urged to hold each other accountable with love, as Matthew suggests, and to recognize the consequences of our actions, as Ezekiel illustrates. The readings also remind us of the power of prayer and unity in achieving God’s will. Let us strive to live with integrity, seeking justice tempered by mercy, and fostering a community where God’s presence is palpable through our united efforts.