Key:
What these passages tell us about God
What these passages tell us to do
What these passages tell us not to do
Commentary
Hyperlink
The word of the LORD came to me: Son of man, what is the meaning of this proverb that you recite in the land of Israel: "Fathers have eaten green grapes, thus their children's teeth are on edge"?
As I live, says the Lord GOD: I swear that there shall no longer be anyone among you who will repeat this proverb in Israel. For all lives are mine; the life of the father is like the life of the son, both are mine; 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 pledge received for a debt, commits no robbery; if he gives food to the hungry and clothes the naked; if he does not lend at interest nor exact usury; if he holds off from evildoing, judges fairlybetween 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.
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.
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 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 the death of anyonewho dies, says the Lord GOD. Return and live!
As I live, says the Lord GOD: I swear that there shall no longer be anyone among you who will repeat this proverb in Israel. For all lives are mine; the life of the father is like the life of the son, both are mine; 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 pledge received for a debt, commits no robbery; if he gives food to the hungry and clothes the naked; if he does not lend at interest nor exact usury; if he holds off from evildoing, judges fairlybetween 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.
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.
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 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 the death of anyonewho dies, says the Lord GOD. Return and live!
Responsorial Psalm PS 51:12-13, 14-15, 18-19
R. (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.
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.
Alleluia SEE MT 11:25
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father,Lord of heaven and earth;you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father,Lord of heaven and earth;you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel MT 19:13-15
Children were brought to Jesus that 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.
1. God himself places no barriers between himself and any person. He does not separate Himself from or reject folks because of the nature/status of their ancestors or relations, because of age, or because they lack sophistication. (First reading, alleluia verse, gospel).
2. He does not even reject us because of our past sins—provided that we repent of and turn from them. (First reading, psalm). To the contrary, God went to—and continues to go to—great lengths to invite and receive former sinners into loving fellowship with Him. Luke 15 powerfully illustrates that.
3. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church puts it, “at every time and in every place, God draws close to man… He calls together all men,” even those “scattered and divided by sin, into the unity of his family” (emphasis added).
4. How do we respond to that?
A. Accept God’s loving invitation. Do not hold back because of your prior sin. Come to Jesus, repent, and be reconciled. Similarly, do not hold back because you know little about God or His ways; He calls even little children to Him.
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B. Be as welcoming to others as God is to all of us. Reach out for and accept fellowship with all, regardless of their parentage, past misdeeds, or lack of sophistication. Likewise, reject appeals to political tribalism/division, racism, and xenophobia. Instead, welcome and love all, just as Jesus welcomes and loves all. See Matthew 5:43-48 and Luke 15.
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