Daily Readings - Mon Aug 19 2024
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 profound stories that invite us to reflect on faith, sacrifice, and the call to follow God wholeheartedly. The first reading from Ezekiel presents a striking scene where the prophet is commanded by God not to mourn the death of his wife. This was not just a personal tragedy but a symbolic act meant to convey a message to the people of Israel. Ezekiel’s wife was the “desire of his eyes,” and her sudden loss was a sign of the devastating losses Israel would soon face—losses that would leave them without their temple, their children, and their sense of security. Ezekiel’s obedience to God’s command, despite his grief, becomes a powerful lesson in trust and faith. He is called to embody the suffering of his people and to point them to the ultimate truth: that sin has consequences, but God’s judgment is always an invitation to repentance and restoration.
In the Gospel, we meet a young man who approaches Jesus with a question about eternal life. He is wealthy and has kept the commandments since childhood, but when Jesus asks him to sell his possessions and follow him, he hesitates. This story is not just about wealth; it’s about the human heart’s tendency to cling to what is familiar and comfortable. The young man’s sadness reveals the depth of his attachment to his possessions and the security they represent. Jesus is not condemning wealth itself but inviting the young man—and us—to examine where our true treasure lies. The call to follow Jesus is a call to radical love and trust, one that requires us to let go of anything that holds us back from living fully for God.
Both readings challenge us to reflect on our own lives. Are there things in our lives that we hold onto so tightly that they prevent us from following God more freely? Ezekiel’s story reminds us that faith often requires sacrifice and trust in God’s plan, even when it’s difficult to understand. The rich young man’s story invites us to consider where our hearts are rooted—whether in the fleeting comforts of this world or in the eternal promises of God. Let us ask ourselves: What is the “treasure” we are clinging to? What is the “desire of our eyes” that we may need to surrender? In letting go, we open ourselves to the possibility of a deeper relationship with God and a life lived in true freedom and joy.