First Reading: (Ezekiel 18: 1-10, 13b, 30-32)
Responsorial Psalm: ( Psalms 51: 12-13, 14-15, 18-19)
Gospel:Â (Matthew 19: 3-12)
First Reading: (Ezekiel 18: 1-10, 13b, 30-32)
And the word of the Lord came to me, saying: What is the meaning? 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.
As I live, saith the Lord God, this parable shall be no more to you a proverb in Israel.
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. And if a man be just, and do judgment and justice, 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:
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bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment: Hath not lent upon usury, nor taken any increase: hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, and hath executed true judgment between man and man: Hath walked in my commandments, and kept my judgments, to do truth: he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord God. And if he beget a son that is a robber, a
shedder of blood, and that hath done some one of these things: 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. 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.
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?
For I desire not the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God, return ye and live.
Responsorial Psalm: ( Psalms 51: 12-13, 14-15, 18-19)
Create a clean heart in me, O God: and renew a right spirit within my bowels.
Cast me not away from thy face; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and strengthen me with a perfect spirit.
I will teach the unjust thy ways: and the wicked shall be converted to thee.
For if thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would indeed have given it: with burnt offerings thou wilt not be delighted.
A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit: a contrite and humbled heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Gospel:Â (Matthew 19: 3-12)
Then were little children presented to him, that he should impose hands upon them and pray. And the disciples rebuked them.
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.
And when he had imposed hands upon them, he departed from thence.