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Daily Mass Readings for Monday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2
Monday August 17, 2026
- First Reading – Ezekiel 24:15-23: The LORD tells Ezekiel that his wife will die as a symbol of what will happen to Israel. The people are told not to mourn but to recognize that they will suffer due to their sins.
- Responsorial Psalm – Deuteronomy 32: The people have forgotten the God who gave them birth, angering the LORD. He declares He will hide His face from them, provoking them with a “no-people,” due to their unfaithfulness.
- Gospel – Matthew 19:16-22: A young man asks Jesus how to gain eternal life. Jesus instructs him to keep the commandments and, if he is seeking perfection, to sell his possessions and give to the poor. The man leaves sadly, attached to his wealth.
If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.
Matthew 19:21
Themes for the Readings for Monday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2
Monday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 brings us messages from the Book of Ezekiel and the Gospel of Matthew. These readings challenge us to reflect on our faith and how we respond to God’s call in our lives.
- Obedience to God: In Ezekiel 24:15-23, Ezekiel obeys God’s command despite his personal loss. This reminds us to follow God’s will even in difficult times.
- Detachment from Wealth: In Matthew 19:16-22, Jesus tells the rich young man to sell his possessions. This teaches us that following Jesus means letting go of our attachment to material things.
- Sorrow and Grief: Ezekiel experiences personal grief, but he is told not to mourn publicly. This shows the challenge of balancing personal sorrow with our duties to God.
- Call to Perfection: Jesus calls the young man to be perfect by giving up his wealth. This highlights the need for complete commitment to God’s call.
- Testing of Faith: Both readings test the faith of individuals in different ways. Ezekiel’s faith is tested through personal loss, while the young man’s faith is tested by his attachment to wealth.
- Following God’s Commands: Ezekiel follows God’s difficult command without question. This teaches us about the importance of obedience in our faith journey.
- Eternal Life: The rich young man asks Jesus how to gain eternal life. This shows that eternal life requires more than just following commandments; it requires a deeper commitment.
These themes remind us of the challenges and demands of true faith. They encourage us to reflect on our own lives and how we respond to God’s call.
Thoughts for Monday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2
Monday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 presents us with readings that challenge and inspire us in our faith journey. Ezekiel’s obedience in the face of personal loss and the rich young man’s struggle with his attachment to wealth teach us important lessons about faith, obedience, and commitment to God. These reflections explore these themes in depth, helping us to apply them to our own lives.
Testing of Faith
The readings for Monday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 show how God tests the faith of individuals in different ways. Ezekiel’s faith is tested through personal loss. God tells him his wife will die, but he must not mourn publicly. This command is hard to understand, yet Ezekiel obeys without question.
In the Gospel reading, the rich young man’s faith is tested by his attachment to wealth. Jesus tells him to sell his possessions and give to the poor. The young man goes away sad because he has many possessions. His attachment to wealth prevents him from following Jesus fully.
Both readings remind us that faith often involves difficult choices. Ezekiel’s obedience in the face of personal loss shows deep trust in God. The young man’s sadness highlights how material attachments can hinder our relationship with God.
We can learn from Ezekiel’s example to trust God even when we face personal challenges. From the young man, we learn the importance of letting go of what holds us back from fully committing to God. These lessons challenge us to examine our own faith and attachments.
Following God’s Commands
Monday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 teaches us about the importance of obedience in our faith journey. Ezekiel is commanded by God not to mourn his wife’s death publicly. This command is unusual and hard, yet Ezekiel obeys.
Ezekiel’s obedience shows his complete trust in God’s plan. He puts God’s command above his personal feelings. This teaches us that true obedience requires putting God first, even when it is difficult.
In the Gospel, the young man is also given a command by Jesus. He is told to sell his possessions and follow Jesus. However, he struggles to obey because he is very attached to his wealth.
Obedience to God’s commands is a central theme in both readings. Ezekiel shows us that true obedience comes from trust and faith in God. The young man shows us that our attachments can make obedience difficult.
We are called to follow God’s commands in our lives. This means trusting God and letting go of what holds us back. Obedience is not always easy, but it is essential in our journey of faith.
Eternal Life
The readings for Monday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 highlight the theme of eternal life. The rich young man asks Jesus how to gain eternal life. He wants to know what he must do to inherit eternal life.
Jesus tells the young man to keep the commandments. When the young man says he has kept them, Jesus tells him to sell his possessions and give to the poor. This command goes beyond following rules; it requires a deeper commitment.
Eternal life is not just about following commandments. It requires a complete commitment to God. The young man’s sadness shows that he is not ready to make this commitment because of his attachment to wealth.
This reading challenges us to reflect on our own commitment to God. Are we willing to let go of what holds us back? Are we ready to follow Jesus fully?
We learn that gaining eternal life requires more than just following rules. It requires a deep and total commitment to God. This commitment means letting go of our attachments and putting God first in our lives.
The readings for Monday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 provide deep insights into faith, obedience, and eternal life. They challenge us to trust God fully, follow His commands, and commit ourselves completely to Him. By reflecting on these themes, we can grow in our faith and strengthen our relationship with God.
Prayer
Lord, help us to trust You completely, follow Your commands faithfully, and commit our lives fully to You. Give us the strength to let go of what holds us back and to follow You with all our hearts. Amen.
Homilies and Reflections for Monday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2
Word on Fire: The Cost of True Friendship with God
In Bishop Robert Barron’s reflection for Monday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, he reflects on the story of the rich young man. The young man desires eternal life and knows that Jesus is the source of that life. However, when Jesus asks him to sell his possessions and give to the poor, he hesitates. Barron explains that living in friendship with God requires letting go of anything that holds us back, especially material attachments. The spiritual life is about self-giving love, and the rich young man’s wealth prevents him from fully embracing that call.
USCCB Reflection: True Wealth in Giving
In a USCCB video reflection for Monday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, the story of the rich young man challenges us to rethink wealth. Jesus asks the man to give up his possessions, highlighting that true wealth is found in sharing and selflessness. The reflection shares a personal story of a grandfather who, though poor, was seen as rich because of his generosity. Jesus invites us to give from what we have, using our resources for good. True discipleship means letting go, sharing what we’ve been given, and finding lasting fulfillment in following Christ.
Dynamic Catholic: Pressing God for More
In Matthew Kelly’s reflection for Monday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, he focuses on the rich young man who keeps pressing Jesus for more answers. Despite Jesus telling him to keep the commandments, the young man isn’t satisfied and continues asking what more he needs to do. Kelly encourages us to reflect on our own lives and consider if we are pressing God for more, and why. Is it a true desire for holiness, or something driven by ego? The challenge is to examine our motives and respond to God’s invitations with humility and trust.
Order of Preachers: Possessions
In Sr. Louis Mary Passeri’s reflection for Monday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, she discusses the rich young man who could not give up his possessions to follow Jesus. His attachment to material things was stronger than his desire to grow closer to Christ. Sr. Louis Mary reminds us that focusing too much on acquiring and maintaining possessions can distract us from our true purpose and relationships. She encourages us to use God’s gifts as He intends, without letting them become more important than our relationship with Him or others.
Questions and Answers for Monday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2
What date is Monday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?
The next date is Monday August 17, 2026.
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 Monday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.
What are the Mass readings for Monday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?
The Mass readings for Monday August 17, 2026 are:
First Reading – Ezekiel 24:15-23: Ezekiel’s Symbolic Act
Responsorial Psalm – Deuteronomy 32: Forgetting God’s Birthright
Gospel – Matthew 19:16-22: The Rich Young Man and the Quest for Eternal Life
Why did Ezekiel not mourn his wife’s death in the first reading for Monday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?
God commanded Ezekiel not to mourn publicly to show the people that their own loss would be severe. It was a sign to them about the destruction of Jerusalem.
What is the main message of Ezekiel 24:15-23?
The main message is about obedience to God even in personal sorrow. It shows that God’s plans are more important than personal feelings.
How can we apply Ezekiel’s obedience in our lives?
We can apply Ezekiel’s obedience by trusting God’s plan for us, even when it is difficult. We should follow God’s commands with faith.
What does Ezekiel’s experience teach us about grief in the first reading for Monday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?
It teaches us that sometimes we need to put our trust in God even in times of personal loss. God’s plans are greater than our immediate understanding.
Why did Jesus tell the rich young man to sell his possessions in the Gospel for Monday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?
Jesus told the young man to sell his possessions to help him understand that following God requires total commitment. Wealth can be a barrier to fully following Jesus.
What does Jesus mean by “If you wish to be perfect”?
Jesus means that for those who want to be perfect, they must give up everything that hinders their relationship with God. This includes wealth and other attachments.
What lesson do we learn from the rich young man?
We learn that following Jesus requires more than just following rules. It requires giving up what we are attached to and putting God first.
How can we detach from wealth today?
We can detach from wealth by being generous and helping others. We should focus on spiritual riches rather than material ones.
What is the significance of Jesus’ call to the young man?
The significance is that following Jesus is a radical commitment. It is not just about doing good things but about giving up what holds us back.
How can the readings from Monday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 help us grow in faith?
They help us understand the importance of obedience, detachment, and total commitment to God. They challenge us to live out our faith fully.
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