Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
August 18, 2018
First Reading: Ezekiel 18:1-10, 13, 30-32
1The word of the LORD came to me again: 2“What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, `The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’? 3As I live, says the Lord GOD, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. 4Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sins shall die. 5“If a man is righteous and does what is lawful and right — 6if he does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbor’s wife or approach a woman in her time of impurity, 7does not oppress any one, but restores to the debtor his pledge, commits no robbery, gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment, 8does not lend at interest or take any increase, withholds his hand from iniquity, executes true justice between man and man, 9walks in my statutes, and is careful to observe my ordinances — he is righteous, he shall surely live, says the Lord GOD. 10“If he begets a son who is a robber, a shedder of blood, 13lends at interest, and takes increase; shall he then live? He shall not live. He has done all these abominable things; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon himself. 30“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, says the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. 31Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32For I have no pleasure in the death of any one, says the Lord GOD; so turn, and live.”
10Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. 11Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy Spirit from me. 12Restore to me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. 13Then I will teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners will return to thee. 16For thou hast no delight in sacrifice; were I to give a burnt offering, thou wouldst not be pleased. 17The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
13Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people; 14but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” 15And he laid his hands on them and went away.
Reflection for the day: ‘Just as the senses and sensible objects pertain to the flesh, so the intellect and intelligible realities pertain to the soul.’ -St. Thalassios the Libyan
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