Daily Readings - Mon Aug 20 2018
Ezekiel
15The word of the LORD came to me:16"Son of man, with one blow I am about to take away from you the delight of your eyes. Yet do not lament or weep or shed any tears.17Groan quietly; do not mourn for the dead. Keep your turban fastened and your sandals on your feet; do not cover the lower part of your face or eat the customary food of mourners."18So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. The next morning I did as I had been commanded.19Then the people asked me, "Won't you tell us what these things have to do with us?"20So I said to them, "The word of the LORD came to me:21Say to the house of Israel, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am about to desecrate my sanctuary-the stronghold in which you take pride, the delight of your eyes, the object of your affection. The sons and daughters you left behind will fall by the sword.22And you will do as I have done. You will not cover the lower part of your face or eat the customary food of mourners.23You will keep your turbans on your heads and your sandals on your feet. You will not mourn or weep but will waste away because of your sins and groan among yourselves.24Ezekiel will be a sign to you; you will do just as he has done. When this happens, you will know that I am the Sovereign LORD.'
Matthew
16Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"17"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."18"Which ones?" the man inquired.19Jesus replied, "'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'"20"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?"21Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."22When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
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.