Reading 1 Ez 43:1-7ab
and there I saw the glory of the God of Israel
coming from the east.
I heard a sound like the roaring of many waters,
and the earth shone with his glory.
The vision was like that which I had seen
when he came to destroy the city,
and like that which I had seen by the river Chebar.
I fell prone as the glory of the LORD entered the temple
by way of the gate which faces the east,
but spirit lifted me up and brought me to the inner court.
And I saw that the temple was filled with the glory of the LORD.
Then I heard someone speaking to me from the temple,
while the man stood beside me.
The voice said to me:
Son of man, this is where my throne shall be,
this is where I will set the soles of my feet;
here I will dwell among the children of Israel forever.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 85:9ab and 10, 11-12, 13-14
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD–for he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and salvation, along the way of his steps.
R. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
Alleluia Mt 23:9b, 10b
You have but one Father in heaven;
you have but one master, the Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Mt 23:1-12
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,“The scribes and the Pharisees
have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.
Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,
but do not follow their example.
For they preach but they do not practice.
They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry
and lay them on people’s shoulders,
but they will not lift a finger to move them.
All their works are performed to be seen.
They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,
greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’
As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’
You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.
Call no one on earth your father;
you have but one Father in heaven.
Do not be called ‘Master’;
you have but one master, the Christ.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
"I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east." –Ezekiel 43:2
Because of the people's refusal to repent, "the glory of the Lord rose from the city" of Jerusalem (Ez 10:23). However, God promised that one day His glory would return to His people (Ez 43:4, 7). This promise was fulfilled in an unimaginable way when God became a human being.
St. John proclaimed: "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us, and we have seen His glory: the glory of an only Son coming from the Father" (Jn 1:14). When Jesus was born, the angels sang: "Glory to God in high heaven" (Lk 2:14).
Before His death, Jesus said: "Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in Him. If God has been glorified in Him, God will, in turn, glorify Him in Himself, and will glorify Him soon" (Jn 13:31-32). Jesus' body was glorified in His resurrection (see Phil 3:21).
However, many of us don't experience the glory of God's presence and power. Like Ezekiel, we live for years without God's glory. We must repent, totally give our lives to the Lord, and receive the Holy Spirit in power. Then God's glory will come to us. "In His temple all say, 'Glory!' " (Ps 29:9)
| PRAYER: | "Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen." |
| PROMISE: | "Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, but whoever humbles himself shall be exalted." –Mt 23:12 |
| PRAISE: | St. Bernard was known for his piety and deep spirituality and was sought after for guidance and wisdom. St. Bernard and thirty other young noblemen joined the monastery together. |
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