August 21st, 2004, Memorial of St. Pius the 10th, Pope.

A reading from the book of the prophet, Ezekiel.

The word of the Lord came to me.

Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel.

In these words prophesy to them to the shepherds. Thus says the Lord God,

woe to the shepherds of Israel, who have been pasturing themselves. Should not shepherds, rather,

pasture sheep? You have fed off their milk, worn their wool, and slaughter the fatlings, but the sheep you have

not pastured. You did not strengthen the weak, nor heal the sick, nor bind up the injured.

You did not bring back the strayed, nor seek the lost. but you lorded it over them harshly and brutally.

So they were scattered for the lack of a shepherd, and became food for all the wild beasts.

My sheep were scattered and wandered over all the mountains and high hills.

My sheep were scattered over the whole earth,

with no one to look after them or to search for them.

Therefore, shepherds, hear the word of the Lord.

As I live, says the Lord God,

because my sheep have been given over to pillage,

and because my sheep have become food for every wild beast, for lack of a shepherd. Because my shepherds did not look after my sheep,

but pastured themselves and did not pasture my sheep. Because of this shepherds hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God,

I swear I am coming against these shepherds. I will claim my sheep from them and put a stop to

their shepherding my sheep, so that they may no longer pasture themselves. I will save my sheep, that they may no longer pasture themselves.

I will save my sheep, that they may no longer be food for their mouths.

For thus says the Lord God, I myself will look after and tend my sheep."

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