Mass Readings for August 21, 2023

Judges 2:11-19
Psalms 106:34-37,39-40,43-44
Matthew 19:16-22

Judges 2:11-19
(11) The children of Israel did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, and served the Baals. (12) They abandoned Yahweh, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed themselves down to them; and they provoked Yahweh to anger. (13) They abandoned Yahweh, and served Baal and the Ashtaroth. (14) Yahweh’s anger burned against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of raiders who plundered them. He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies. (15) Wherever they went out, Yahweh’s hand was against them for evil, as Yahweh had spoken, and as Yahweh had sworn to them; and they were very distressed. (16) Yahweh raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them. (17) Yet they didn’t listen to their judges; for they prostituted themselves to other gods, and bowed themselves down to them. They quickly turned away from the way in which their fathers walked, obeying Yahweh’s commandments. They didn’t do so. (18) When Yahweh raised up judges for them, then Yahweh was with the judge, and saved them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for it grieved Yahweh because of their groaning by reason of those who oppressed them and troubled them. (19) But when the judge was dead, they turned back, and dealt more corruptly than their fathers in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down to them. They didn’t cease what they were doing, or give up their stubborn ways.

Psalms 106:34-37,39-40,43-44
(34) They didn’t destroy the peoples, as Yahweh commanded them, (35) but mixed themselves with the nations, and learned their works. (36) They served their idols, which became a snare to them. (37) Yes, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons. (39) Thus were they defiled with their works, and prostituted themselves in their deeds. (40) Therefore Yahweh burned with anger against his people. He abhorred his inheritance. (43) He rescued them many times, but they were rebellious in their counsel, and were brought low in their iniquity. (44) Nevertheless he regarded their distress, when he heard their cry.

Matthew 19:16-22
(16) Behold, one came to him and said, “Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” (17) He said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” (18) He said to him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder.’ ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ ‘You shall not steal.’ ‘You shall not offer false testimony.’ (19) ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ And, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (20) The young man said to him, “All these things I have observed from my youth. What do I still lack?” (21) Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” (22) But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sad, for he was one who had great possessions.