Lectionary: 420
Reading 1
Ezekiel 28:1-10
The word of the LORD came to me: Son of man,
say to the prince of Tyre:
Thus says the Lord GOD:
Because you are haughty of heart,
you say, “A god am I!
I occupy a godly throne
in the heart of the sea!”—
And yet you are a man, and not a god,
however you may think yourself like a god.
Oh yes, you are wiser than Daniel,
there is no secret that is beyond you.
By your wisdom and your intelligence
you have made riches for yourself;
You have put gold and silver
into your treasuries.
By your great wisdom applied to your trading
you have heaped up your riches;
your heart has grown haughty from your riches–
therefore thus says the Lord GOD:
Because you have thought yourself
to have the mind of a god,
Therefore I will bring against you
foreigners, the most barbarous of nations.
They shall draw their swords
against your beauteous wisdom,
they shall run them through your splendid apparel.
They shall thrust you down to the pit, there to die
a bloodied corpse, in the heart of the sea.
Will you then say, “I am a god!”
when you face your murderers?
No, you are man, not a god,
handed over to those who will slay you.
You shall die the death of the uncircumcised
at the hands of foreigners,
for I have spoken, says the Lord GOD.
Responsorial Psalm
Deuteronomy 32:26-27ab, 27cd-28, 30, 35cd-36ab
R. (39c) It is I who deal death and give life.
“I would have said, ‘I will make an end of them
and blot out their name from men’s memories,’
Had I not feared the insolence of their enemies,
feared that these foes would mistakenly boast.”
R. It is I who deal death and give life.
“‘Our own hand won the victory;
the LORD had nothing to do with it.’”
For they are a people devoid of reason,
having no understanding.
R. It is I who deal death and give life.
“How could one man rout a thousand,
or two men put ten thousand to flight,
Unless it was because their Rock sold them
and the LORD delivered them up?”
R. It is I who deal death and give life.
Close at hand is the day of their disaster,
and their doom is rushing upon them!
Surely, the LORD shall do justice for his people;
on his servants he shall have pity.
R. It is I who deal death and give life.
Gospel
Matthew 19:23-30
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich
to enter the Kingdom of heaven.
Again I say to you,
it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.”
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said,
“Who then can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said,
“For men this is impossible,
but for God all things are possible.”
Then Peter said to him in reply,
“We have given up everything and followed you.
What will there be for us?”
Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you
that you who have followed me, in the new age,
when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory,
will yourselves sit on twelve thrones,
judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters
or father or mother or children or lands
for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more,
and will inherit eternal life.
But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
REFLECTION
SOURCE: One Bread One Body
THEME: DANGER ZONE
"Everyone who has given up home, brothers or sisters, father or mother, wife or children or property for My sake will receive many times as much and inherit everlasting life." –Matthew 19:29
It is difficult for a rich person to enter into God's kingdom (Mt 19:23). Jesus proclaimed: "I repeat what I said: it is easier for a camel to pass through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God" (Mt 19:24). In effect, it is humanly impossible for a rich person to be saved, "but for God all things are possible" (Mt 19:26). Therefore, it's reasonable to not want to take the extreme risk of being rich, unless God insisted on it.
Are you rich? Most of you probably don't think you are. However, if we in the USA are not rich, there are very few people in the world who are rich or have ever been rich. By international and historical standards, most of us are rich. That means Jesus' words in the Bible apply to us. We are in great danger of losing our souls. Our first response to this fact should be to drastically simplify our lifestyles so that we will no longer be rich, even by international, historical, and Biblical standards. Becoming poor is something most of us can do, if we try. This will significantly lessen the very real danger of our eternal damnation. However, a few people will not be allowed by God to become poor. They remain in great danger, but by humble stewardship of God's possessions, they may accept the grace of salvation. Rich people, get out of danger or be extremely careful!
PRAYER: Father, open my eyes to see the warning signs before it's too late.
PROMISE: "Many who are first shall come last, and the last shall come first." –Mt 19:30
PRAISE: St. John was a gifted confessor and successfully led many sinners to repentance and holiness. He had a special anointing in leading people to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Be an inspiration, kindly Share.
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