Daily Readings - Mon Aug 20 2018
Ezekiel
15Also the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,16Son of man, behold, I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke: yet neither shalt thou mourn nor weep, neither shall thy tears run down.17Forbear to cry, make no mourning for the dead, bind the tire of thine head upon thee, and put on thy shoes upon thy feet, and cover not thy lips, and eat not the bread of men.18So I spake unto the people in the morning: and at even my wife died; and I did in the morning as I was commanded.19And the people said unto me, Wilt thou not tell us what these things are to us, that thou doest so?20Then I answered them, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying,21Speak unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the excellency of your strength, the desire of your eyes, and that which your soul pitieth; and your sons and your daughters whom ye have left shall fall by the sword.22And ye shall do as I have done: ye shall not cover your lips, nor eat the bread of men.23And your tires shall be upon your heads, and your shoes upon your feet: ye shall not mourn nor weep; but ye shall pine away for your iniquities, and mourn one toward another.24Thus Ezekiel is unto you a sign: according to all that he hath done shall ye do: and when this cometh, ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD.
Matthew
16And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?17And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.18He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,19Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.20The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?21Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.22But when the young man heard that saying, 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.