8.19.12 Lectio: Ez 24.15-24 Meditatio: "Say to the House of Israel: Thus says the Lord God: I will now desecrate my sanctuary, the stronghold of your pride, the delight of your eyes, the desire of your soul.” Ez 24.21a Oratio: " O God, sometimes You mete out severe punishment not to ultimately harm but to ultimately bring us back to our senses. I remember Your prophet, Ezekiel, proclaimed to Your chosen people that the Temple, which they relied upon because of your presence, would be destroyed if they did not reform - sad to say they didn’t. Grant that all may always seek to do Your will and be attentive to Your desires. I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes. Operatio: reflect on "desire of your soul”; the Temple; the place where God is present; in prayer seek the grace to be open to God’s will and then to do it. Tomorrow's reading: Ez 28.1-10