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| "Suffer the Little Children to Come unto Me" -- by James Tissot |
FIRST
READING:
Ezekiel 18:
1 - 10, 13, 30 - 32
1
And the word of the Lord came to me, saying: What is the meaning?
2
That you use among you this parable as a proverb in the land of
Israel, saying: The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the teeth of
the children are set on edge.
3
As I live, saith the Lord God, this parable shall be no more to you a
proverb in Israel.
4
Behold all souls are mine: as the soul of the father, so also the
soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, the same shall die.
5
And if a man be just, and do judgment and justice,
6
And hath not eaten upon the mountains, nor lifted up his eyes to the
idols of the house of Israel: and hath not defiled his neighbour's
wife, nor come near to a menstruous woman:
7
And hath not wronged any man: but hath restored the pledge to the
debtor, hath taken nothing away by violence: hath given his bread to
the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment:
8
Hath not lent upon usury, nor taken any increase: hath withdrawn his
hand from iniquity, and hath executed true judgment between man and
man:
9
Hath walked in my commandments, and kept my judgments, to do truth:
he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord God.
10
And if he beget a son that is a robber, a shedder of blood, and that
hath done some one of these things:
13
That giveth upon usury, and that taketh an increase: shall such a one
live? he shall not live. Seeing he hath done all these detestable
things, he shall surely die, his blood shall be upon him.
30
Therefore will I judge every man according to his ways, O house of
Israel, saith the Lord God. Be converted, and do penance for all your
iniquities: and iniquity shall not be your ruin.
31
Cast away from you all your transgressions, by which you have
transgressed, and make to yourselves a new heart, and a new spirit:
and why will you die, O house of Israel?
32
For I desire not the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God,
return ye and live.
PSALM:
Psalms 51:
12 - 15, 18 - 19
12
Create a clean heart in me, O God: and renew a right spirit within my
bowels.
13
Cast me not away from thy face; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
14
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and strengthen me with a
perfect spirit.
15
I will teach the unjust thy ways: and the wicked shall be converted
to thee.
18
For if thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would indeed have given it:
with burnt offerings thou wilt not be delighted.
19
A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit: a contrite and humbled
heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
GOSPEL:
Matthew 19:
13 - 15
13
Then were little children presented to him, that he should impose
hands upon them and pray. And the disciples rebuked them.
14
But Jesus said to them: Suffer the little children, and forbid them
not to come to me: for the kingdom of heaven is for such.
15
And when he had imposed hands upon them, he departed from thence.
