Ezekiel 28:1-10, Psalm (Deut.) 32:26-28, 30, 35-36, Matthew 19:23-30

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS


Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich
So that by his poverty you might become rich. 2Cor 8:9

Memorial of Saint Pius X, Pope


Ezekiel 28:1-10, Psalm (Deut.) 32:26-28, 30, 35-36,
Matthew 19:23-30


Ezekiel 28:1-10

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

No man or woman can make a mockery of God and live. Many have tried and have found to their destruction that they have been deceived themselves by their folly. 

Those in the highest places thought themselves invincible. They have been cast down. They have become a source of derision to all. They who were once mighty and in their hauteur ignored the laws of God, no have their sins laid bare before the world.  They sinned with impunity, without fear, and preyed upon the vulnerable and the innocent thinking God was blind - they now discover that You are patient. You give every opportunity for repentance and contrition, however, God's justice will not be denied to the innocent.

Lord, God, never let us forget that we are only servants and that we can never compromise the Truth and hope to live.

Psalm (Deut.) 32:26-28, 30, 35-36

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

Truly, it is You who deal death and give life. You have dealt death to those in high places. They have been brought low indeed and the innocent have been vindicated. God has come to their aid and justice has finally given the verdict. May genuine shame and sorrow be the fruit of this terrible revelation of betrayal of the sheep by the shepherds who were charged by God to protect them.

You have delivered up the sinners Beloved to the gaze of a hurt, and bewildered Church. Bring healing now my Lord lest our enemies gloat over us. 

You have named and shamed the enemies who thrived within her; now Beloved, as You root them out one by one, strengthen the remnant and bring about a new springtime in Your Church, Your Bride. She belongs to You alone.

Matthew 19:23-30

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

Anyone charged with the sacred, solemn duty of standing guard over Your Body, the Church, and has done so faithfully to the end will be rewarded greatly as You assured Peter in today's Gospel reading.

But there is a warning in the last verse which every shepherd should heed. Many who are last will be first, and the first will be last.

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."