FIRST READING
“The glory of the Lord entered the temple. ”
A reading from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel (Ezekiel 43:1-7a)
[The angel] brought me to the gate, the gate facing east. And behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the east; and the sound of his coming was like the sound of many waters; and the earth shone with his glory. And the vision I saw was like the vision which I had seen when he came to destroy the city, and like the vision which I had seen by the river Chebar; and I fell upon my face. As the glory of the Lord entered the temple by the gate facing east, the Spirit lifted me up, and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the temple. While the man was standing beside me, I heard one speaking to me out of the temple; and he said to me, “Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the sons of Israel for ever.”
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 85:9ab and 10.11-12.13-14 (R. see 10b)
R/. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
I will hear what the Lord God speaks;
he speaks of peace for his people and his faithful.
His salvation is near for those who fear him,
and his glory will dwell in our land. R.
Merciful love and faithfulness have met;
justice and peace have kissed.
Faithfulness shall spring from the earth,
and justice look down from heaven. R.
Also the Lord will bestow his bounty,
and our earth shall yield its increase.
Justice will march before him,
and guide his steps on the way. R.
ALLELUIA Matthew 23:9b.10b
Alleluia. You have one Father, who is in heaven, and you have one master, the Christ. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“They preach, but do not practice. ”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 23 : 1-12)
At that time: Jesus said to the ‘crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach, but do not practice. They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by men; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honour at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues, and salutations in the market places, and being called rabbi by men. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called masters, for you have one master, the Christ. He who is greatest among you shall be your servant; whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
One week after we have celebrated the Assumption our Blessed Mother, today we are transported to the heavenly realm to witness her being crowned as the Queen of heaven and earth. She is the Mother of the Son of God, the king of the universe. She is the obedient daughter of the Father who surrendered herself fully to his will. She is the spouse of the Holy Spirit who overshadowed her and brought forth the Son of God into our world. She is the sinless virgin, full of grace and love. She is the co-redemptrix and the Mother of the church. She is the sure hope and a channel of grace for us. Her royal crowning indicates that we, her children, also are called to share in her glory. We attain our crown of glory if we choose to follow her Son and surrender our lives to the will of the Father under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.