Mass Readings for August 17, 2024

Ezekiel 18:1-10,13,30-32
Psalms 51:12-15,18-19
Matthew 19:13-15

Ezekiel 18:1-10,13,30-32
(1) Yahweh’s word came to me again, saying, (2) “What do you mean, that you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’? (3) “As I live,” says the Lord Yahweh, “you shall not use this proverb any more 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 who sins, he shall die. (5) “But if a man is just, and does that which is lawful and right, (6) and has not eaten on the mountains, hasn’t lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, hasn’t defiled his neighbor’s wife, hasn’t come near a woman in her impurity, (7) and has not wronged any, but has restored to the debtor his pledge, has taken nothing by robbery, has given his bread to the hungry, and has covered the naked with a garment; (8) he who hasn’t lent to them with interest, hasn’t taken any increase from them, who has withdrawn his hand from iniquity, has executed true justice between man and man, (9) has walked in my statutes, and has kept my ordinances, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live,” says the Lord Yahweh. (10) “If he fathers a son who is a robber who sheds blood, and who does any one of these things, (13) has lent with interest, and has taken increase from the poor; shall he then live? He shall not live. He has done all these abominations. He shall surely die. His blood will be on him. (30) “Therefore I will judge you, house of Israel, everyone according to his ways,” says the Lord Yahweh. “Return, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity will not be your ruin. (31) Cast away from you all your transgressions, in which you have transgressed; and make yourself a new heart and a new spirit: for why will you die, house of Israel? (32) For I have no pleasure in the death of him who dies,” says the Lord Yahweh. “Therefore turn yourselves, and live!

Psalms 51:12-15,18-19
(12) Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Uphold me with a willing spirit. (13) Then I will teach transgressors your ways. Sinners shall be converted to you. (14) Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, the God of my salvation. My tongue shall sing aloud of your righteousness. (15) Lord, open my lips. My mouth shall declare your praise. (18) Do well in your good pleasure to Zion. Build the walls of Jerusalem. (19) Then you will delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, in burnt offerings and in whole burnt offerings. Then they will offer bulls on your altar.

Matthew 19:13-15
(13) Then little children were brought to him, that he should lay his hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. (14) But Jesus said, “Allow the little children, and don’t forbid them to come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to ones like these.” (15) He laid his hands on them, and departed from there.