Daily Readings August 18, 2012

Saturday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time


Lectionary: 418

Reading 1
Ez 18:1-10, 13B, 30-32

The word of the LORD came to me:

God spoke to Ezekiel.

Son of man, what is the meaning of this proverbthat you recited in the land of Israel:

What does this metaphor mean which you spoke to Israel?

"Fathers have eaten green grapes,thus their children's teeth are on edge?"

Fathers eat sour food which sets their children's teeth on edge?

As I live, says the Lord GOD:I swear that there shall no longer be anyone among youwho will repeat this proverb in Israel.For all lives are mind;the life of the father is like the life of the son, both are mind;only the one who sins shall die.

God then makes an oath, "No one shall again repeat that rhyme, for all lives have their own will.  The life of the father is like the life of the son, each having his own will.  Only the one who sins shall die.

If a man is virtuous--if he does what is right and just,if he does not eat on the mountains,nor raise his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel;if he does not defile his neighbor's wife,nor have relations with a woman in her menstrual period;if he oppresses no one,gives back the pladge received for a debt,commits no robbery;if he gives food to the hungry and clothes to the naked;if he does not lend at interest nor exact usury;if he holds off form evildoing,judges fairly between a man and his opponent;if he lives by my statutes and is careful to observe my ordinances,that man is virtuous--he shall surely live, says the Lord GOD.

If a man is good and does good to his neighbor all his life.  Keeping my Commandments, that man will live, says the Lord.

But if he begets a son who is a thief, a murderer,or lends at interest and exacts usury--this son certainly shall not live.Because he practiced all these abominations, he shall surely die;his death shall be his own fault.

If the virtuous man bears a murderous son, the son shall die in his sins because his death is his own fault.

Therefore I will judge you, house of Israel,each one according to his ways, says the Lord GOD.Turn and be converted from all your crimes,that they may be converted from all your crimes,that they may be no cause of guilt for you.Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed,and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.Why should you die, O house of Israel?For I have no pleasure in death of anyone who dies,says the Lord GOD. Return and live!

Therefore, I the Lord, your God am calling you to change.  Do good and live.  Why should you die oh Israel?  I have no pleasure in your death.  Return to me and live!

This is the same plea God has been making to the Jews from the beginning:

Deuteronomy 30:19
King James Version (KJV)
¹⁹ I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 51:12-13, 14-15, 18-19

Response. (12a) Create a clean heart in me, O God.

A clean heart create for me, O God;
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.

R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.

Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners shall return to you.

R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.

For you are not pleased with sacrifices;
should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it.
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;
a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.

The Psalm is talking about conversion which is the first step in justification.  Note that God does the converting and justifying.  However, we also play a part.  Look back up to Ezekiel and note where God says,  "...Turn and be converted from all your crimes...."  We have our part to play in our conversion and our justification.

Gospel Mt 19:13-15

Children were brought to Jesusthat he might lay his hands on them and pray.The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said,"Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them;for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."After he placed his hands on them, he went away.

For some reason, I'm not certain why, the disciples did not want people to bring their children to Jesus to be prayed over.  But Jesus was straightforward.  He said, "Never prevent these little ones from coming to me.  For the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as they."

This is a verse which we use to support infant Baptism.  Jesus wants us to bring our children to Him.

Sincerely,

De Maria