--- title: Daily Readings Reflection for 3/18/11 description: Daily Readings Reflection for 3/18/11 --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2011/03/18/daily-readings-reflection-for-31811#) # Daily Readings Reflection for 3/18/11 Mar 18, 2011 9:00:26 AM  |  by [Guest](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/guest) Scripture: Lectionary 229. Ezekiel 18:21-28. Psalm 130:1-2.3-4.4-6. 7-8. Matthew 5:20-26 [Today's Readings](http://www.usccb.org/nab) Holiness is the larger theme within the context of the readings. Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are understood since we are within the context of the Sermon on the Mount. Forgiveness, reconciliation, and conversion converge as we listen to the great readings given for this day. Ezekiel is one of the mystical prophetic voices in the Scriptures. He, however, is also downright practical in the advice and wisdom he gives us in this passage. He shows us how we are capable through our free will and our good decisions to convert from our sinful ways; he mentions that we can easily fall back into wrong decisions and sin even though this may be our customary way of living and behaving. Justice is at the center of this pericope and thus God is making it clear through Ezekiel that judgment will be meted out to us whether we are good or bad. Psalm 130 is one of the seven penitiential psalms. It may not be used as often as Psalm 51 in our Lenten liturgies but its message is important enough to have it brought before us on several occasions during this Lenten season of prayer, reflection, and renewal. Listening, waiting, trusting in the Lord are essential to the psalm and demand our positive response. Jesus makes us aware of our brothers and sisters so that holiness is not an individual call but a universal one. A Jesus and I spirituality is not enough for we are a family under God who created us as images and likenesses of God. We do not make ourselves holy, God and our neighbors do that. We are not to allow anger to well up against others; we are to be compassionate and patient. We are to right the wrong we do before bringing up our gifts to the altar, before giving the sign of peace to one another. Jesus has given us this beautiful saying that we must be first reconciled and then offer our gifts. This is a most powerful and life-giving thought and should be remembered each time we participate in the Eucharist and each time we remember the Scriptures: "If you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother (or sister) has anything against you, leave your gift at the altar, and go first to be reconciled with your brother (and sister) and then come and offer your gift." (Matthew 5: 23-24) Amen. ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2011%2F03%2F18%2Fdaily-readings-reflection-for-31811%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2011%2F03%2F18%2Fdaily-readings-reflection-for-31811%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2011%2F03%2F18%2Fdaily-readings-reflection-for-31811%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Daily%20Readings%20Reflection%20for%203%2F18%2F11) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2011%2F03%2F18%2Fdaily-readings-reflection-for-31811%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2011%2F03%2F18%2Fdaily-readings-reflection-for-31811%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Guest](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Profile%203.jpg) ### [Guest](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/guest) We welcome guest contributors who graciously volunteer their writing for our readers. 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