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Daily Mass Readings for Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2
Saturday August 19, 2028
- First Reading – Ezekiel 18:1-10, 13b, 30-32: The LORD questions the proverb about fathers’ actions affecting their children and declares it will no longer be used in Israel. He emphasizes individual responsibility, describing the attributes of a virtuous person and stating that only those who sin shall die.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 51: Create for me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Return to me the joy of salvation, and I will teach others your ways. You desire a contrite heart, not sacrifices.
- Gospel – Matthew 19:13-15: Jesus welcomed the children and blessed them, saying the Kingdom of heaven belongs to those like them. Then he continued on his way.
Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.
Matthew 19:14
Themes for the Readings for Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2
Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 reminds us of God’s call to conversion and the blessings of His Kingdom. Through the readings, we see the importance of personal responsibility, repentance, and the value Jesus places on children.
- Personal Responsibility: Ezekiel teaches that everyone is responsible for their own actions. This means we cannot blame others for our sins.
- Repentance: God calls us to turn away from our sins and live. Ezekiel urges the people to repent and seek a new heart and spirit.
- God’s Mercy: God does not delight in the death of the wicked. He wants everyone to turn back to Him and live.
- New Heart and Spirit: God offers us a new heart and spirit if we repent. This means a fresh start and a new life with God.
- Value of Children: In Matthew, Jesus shows the importance of children. He says the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like them.
- Blessing of Innocence: Jesus blesses the children and tells us to be like them. Their innocence and trust are examples for us.
- Invitation to the Kingdom: Jesus invites everyone, especially the humble, to His Kingdom. We should come to Him with a childlike faith.
The readings for Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 remind us of the need for repentance and the blessings that come from God. They teach us to take responsibility for our actions and to approach God with the innocence and trust of children.
Thoughts for Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2
Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 provides important lessons on personal responsibility, repentance, God’s mercy, and the value of childlike faith. Through the readings, we are reminded of the need to take responsibility for our actions, seek forgiveness, and approach God with the innocence and trust of children.
Personal Responsibility and Repentance
On Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we learn about personal responsibility from Ezekiel. He teaches us that each person is responsible for their own actions. We cannot blame others for our sins or expect to be punished for someone else’s wrongdoings.
Ezekiel also calls us to repentance. This means turning away from our sins and choosing to live a better life. God wants us to seek a new heart and spirit. When we repent, we show that we are serious about following God and His ways.
This call to repentance is a call to personal change. It invites us to look at our lives honestly and make the necessary changes. We should ask God for help to change our hearts and actions.
God’s Mercy and New Life
Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 highlights God’s mercy. God does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked. Instead, He wants everyone to turn back to Him and live.
God offers us a new heart and spirit if we repent. This means that no matter how far we have strayed, God is ready to give us a fresh start. He wants us to have a new life with Him, free from the burdens of our past sins.
This new life is a gift from God. It shows His great love and mercy for us. We are called to embrace this gift by repenting and seeking a closer relationship with God.
Childlike Faith and the Kingdom
In the Gospel reading for Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, Jesus highlights the importance of children. He says the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like children. This means we should have a childlike faith, full of innocence and trust.
Jesus blesses the children and uses them as an example for us. He shows that the qualities of children—such as humility, simplicity, and trust—are what we need to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Jesus invites everyone, especially the humble, to His Kingdom. He wants us to come to Him with a childlike faith, relying on Him completely. This faith is not about being childish but about having a pure and sincere heart, open to God’s love.
The readings for Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 teach us important lessons about our faith. We are reminded to take responsibility for our actions, seek God’s mercy, and embrace a childlike trust in Him. These teachings guide us in our journey toward a closer relationship with God.
Prayer
Lord, help us to take responsibility for our actions and seek Your forgiveness. Grant us a new heart and spirit. May we approach You with the innocence and trust of children, and embrace Your mercy and love. Amen.
Homilies and Reflections for Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2
The Beauty of Childlike Faith
In Bishop Robert Barron’s reflection for Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, he explains why Jesus says the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are like children. Children are simple, authentic, and free from pretense. They don’t act to gain approval or hide their true selves. Barron compares this childlike quality to figures like Thomas Aquinas, who stayed true to God’s will without being swayed by external pressures. True childlikeness is being rooted in what God calls us to be, living in alignment with His intentions, just as a child naturally does.
USCCB Reflection: Choosing Life Through Faith, Hope, and Charity
In this USCCB video reflection for Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we are reminded that God offers us the chance to live by doing what is right and just. The reflection highlights the three theological virtues—faith, hope, and charity—as the foundation for living a virtuous life. Faith calls us to trust in God’s truths, hope encourages us to rely on His promises, and charity invites us to love God and others. We are urged to share our faith, seek reconciliation, and live according to God’s goodness, knowing that in doing so, we will surely live.
Dynamic Catholic: Embrace Your Interruptions
In Matthew Kelly’s reflection for Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, he focuses on the story where children interrupt Jesus, and the disciples try to send them away. Jesus welcomes the interruptions, showing that they are central to His ministry. Kelly reflects on how Jesus often turned interruptions into important moments. He challenges us to reconsider how we deal with interruptions in our own lives, viewing them not as disruptions but as opportunities for God’s work. The lesson is to see these moments as divine opportunities rather than inconveniences.
Order of Preachers: Host & Guest / Welcoming & Receiving
In Fr. James Marchionda’s reflection for Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, he discusses the Gospel where Jesus welcomes children despite the disciples’ objections. Jesus shows us that God’s love and blessings are for everyone, especially the powerless. Fr. Marchionda emphasizes that adults need to learn not only how to welcome others but also how to receive God’s help with humility. He challenges us to acknowledge our vulnerabilities and accept blessings. The Gospel teaches both the generosity of giving and the humility of receiving, reminding us of our need for God and one another.
USCCB Reflection: Responsibility and Justice
The USCCB video reflection for Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 discusses personal responsibility and social justice. Rabbi Abraham Heschel’s quote, “Not all are guilty, but all are responsible,” summarizes Ezekiel’s message. Ezekiel teaches that individuals are responsible for their own actions, not their parents’ sins. Jesus highlights the importance of children, showing that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them. The reflection calls us to prioritize justice, especially for the vulnerable, and to live with a new heart and spirit. This promotes a just society, benefiting all, especially future generations.
Questions and Answers for Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2
What date is Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?
The next date is Saturday August 19, 2028.
Cycle 1 is used in odd numbered years and Cycle 2 is used in even numbered years. The gospel is the same for both years. For odd numbered years see Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.
What are the Mass readings for Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?
The Mass readings for Saturday August 19, 2028 are:
First Reading – Ezekiel 18:1-10, 13b, 30-32: A Call to Righteousness
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 51: A Clean Heart
Gospel – Matthew 19:13-15: Jesus Blesses Children
What does it mean when Ezekiel says “the fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge”?
This means people thought they were suffering because of their parents’ sins. Ezekiel says each person is responsible for their own actions.
Why does Ezekiel talk about getting a new heart and a new spirit?
Ezekiel talks about a new heart and spirit to show that God offers us a fresh start. When we repent, God gives us a new beginning.
What is repentance in the context of Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?
Repentance means turning away from our sins and choosing to follow God. It’s about changing our actions and seeking God’s forgiveness.
Why does God not take pleasure in the death of the wicked?
God wants everyone to turn from their sins and live. He does not want anyone to be lost but wishes for all to be saved.
Why did Jesus say the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to children in the Gospel for Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?
Jesus said this to show the importance of being humble and trusting like children. He wants us to have a simple and sincere faith.
What can we learn from Jesus blessing the children?
We learn that everyone is important to God, even the smallest and weakest. We should value and protect the innocence of children.
How can we apply the message of personal responsibility from Ezekiel in our lives?
We can apply this by taking responsibility for our own actions. We should not blame others but seek to live rightly ourselves.
What does it mean to have a childlike faith?
A childlike faith is simple, trusting, and pure. It means relying on God completely, just like a child trusts their parents.
How can we get a new heart and a new spirit?
We can get a new heart and spirit by repenting and turning to God. He promises to renew us when we seek Him sincerely.
Why is it important to turn from our sins according to the readings for Saturday of the 19th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?
It is important because God wants us to live and not die in our sins. Turning from our sins brings us closer to God and His blessings.
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