Daily Readings - Wed Aug 14 2024
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on God’s justice, mercy, and the importance of community. In the first reading from Ezekiel, we witness a dramatic vision of God’s judgment on Jerusalem. The prophet describes a scene where six men are instructed to mark the foreheads of those who grieve over the sins of the city, sparing them from destruction. This passage emphasizes that while God’s justice is real, it is tempered by mercy for those who remain faithful and sorrowful over sin. The vision also highlights the departure of God’s glory from the Temple, symbolizing the consequences of turning away from God. Ezekiel’s message is one of warning, urging repentance and fidelity to God’s covenant.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches about the importance of addressing conflicts within the community. He outlines a step-by-step approach: first, addressing the issue privately; if that fails, involving one or two others; and finally, bringing the matter to the Church. This process reflects Jesus’ concern for reconciliation and the unity of the community. He also emphasizes the power of prayer and agreement among believers, promising that when two or three gather in his name, he is present among them. This teaching underscores the value of working through disagreements with love and humility, rather than allowing division to take root.
Together, these readings remind us that our actions have consequences, both as individuals and as a community. Ezekiel’s vision calls us to examine our own lives and to sorrow over sin, while Jesus’ teaching encourages us to approach conflicts with patience and a desire for reconciliation. In our daily lives, we are invited to live with integrity, to seek forgiveness when we fail, and to work toward healing and unity in our relationships. May we strive to be people of mercy, justice, and prayer, trusting in God’s presence and guidance in all we do.