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Memorial of Saint Clare, Virgin

Reading 1 : Ezekiel 2:8-3:4

The Lord GOD said to me:
As for you, son of man, obey me when I speak to you:
be not rebellious like this house of rebellion,
but open your mouth and eat what I shall give you.

It was then I saw a hand stretched out to me,
in which was a written scroll which he unrolled before me.
It was covered with writing front and back,
and written on it was:
Lamentation and wailing and woe!

He said to me: Son of man, eat what is before you;
eat this scroll, then go, speak to the house of Israel.
So I opened my mouth and he gave me the scroll to eat.
Son of man, he then said to me,
feed your belly and fill your stomach
with this scroll I am giving you.
I ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth.
He said: Son of man, go now to the house of Israel,
and speak my words to them.

Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 119:14, 24, 72, 103, 111, 131

R. (103a) How sweet to my taste is your promise!
In the way of your decrees I rejoice,
as much as in all riches.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
Yes, your decrees are my delight;
they are my counselors.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
The law of your mouth is to me more precious
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
How sweet to my palate are your promises,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
Your decrees are my inheritance forever;
the joy of my heart they are.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
I gasp with open mouth,
in my yearning for your commands.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!

Alleluia : Matthew 11:29

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14

The disciples approached Jesus and said,
“Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?”
He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said,
“Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,
you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.
Whoever becomes humble like this child
is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.
And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones,
for I say to you that their angels in heaven
always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.
What is your opinion?
If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray,
will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills
and go in search of the stray?
And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it
than over the ninety-nine that did not stray.
In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father
that one of these little ones be lost.”

Message from the Readings

Today’s readings proclaim a beautiful truth:
God’s Word transforms the heart, and childlike humility opens the way to His Kingdom.
• Ezekiel learns that God’s Word must be received deeply before it can be proclaimed.
• The psalm celebrates the sweetness and joy found in God’s commands.
• Jesus teaches that humility, purity of heart, and care for the “little ones” are the marks of true discipleship.
The message is clear: Let God’s Word shape your heart, and let humility shape your life.

Reflection for the Day

Ezekiel is asked to do something unusual— to eat the scroll containing God’s message.
It is a powerful symbol: God’s Word must not remain external, something heard occasionally or admired from afar. It must be taken in, digested, allowed to shape thoughts, desires, and actions.
And when Ezekiel eats it, he discovers that God’s Word is sweet.
The psalm echoes this sweetness: God’s Word is honey to the soul, a treasure, a delight, a source of wisdom and joy.
Then Jesus gives us the heart of discipleship:
“Unless you become like little children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.”
Childlike humility is not childishness. It is trust, openness, simplicity, a heart free from pride and self‑importance.
Jesus also reveals the Father’s tender love: He seeks the lost, protects the vulnerable, and rejoices over every soul that returns to Him.
Saint Clare lived this Gospel beautifully. She embraced poverty with joy, humility with strength, and God’s Word with total devotion. Her life became a radiant witness that holiness is found not in power, but in simplicity and surrender.
Today’s readings invite us to three movements:

1. Let God’s Word enter deeply.
   Not just read—received, loved, lived.
2. Choose childlike humility.
   Trust God more. Depend on Him more. Let go of pride.
3. Care for the “little ones.”
   Protect the vulnerable, encourage the discouraged, and reflect the Father’s tender love.
   Let today be a day of sweetness, humility, and renewed devotion.

Prayer for Today

Lord Jesus, make Your Word sweet to my heart and guide my steps with Your truth.
Give me the humility of a child, the courage of a disciple, and the compassion of Your Father’s heart.
Teach me to love the small, protect the vulnerable, and seek the lost with tenderness.
May Your Word shape my life and Your love shine through me today.
Amen.