Daily Readings - Wed Oct 04 2023
Nehemiah
1Now it happened that, in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of king Artaxerxes, wine was before him; and I lifted up the wine, and I gave it to the king. And I was like someone languishing before his face2And the king said to me: "Why is your expression sad, though you do not appear to be sick? This is not without cause, but some evil, I know not what, is in your heart." And I was struck with an exceedingly great fear3And I said to the king: "O king, live forever. Why should my expression not be mournful, since the city of the house of the sepulchers of my father is desolate, and its gates have been burned with fire?4And the king said to me: "What would you request?" And I prayed to the God of heaven5And I said to the king: "If it seems good to the king, and if your servant is pleasing before your face: that you would send me into Judea, to the city of the sepulcher of my father. And I will rebuild it.6And the king said to me, with the queen who was sitting beside him: "Until what time will your journey be, and when will you return?" And it was pleasing before the countenance of the king, and so he sent me. And I established a time for him7And I said to the king: "If it seems good to the king, may he give me letters to the governors of the region beyond the river, so that they may lead me through, until I arrive in Judea8and a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king’s forest, so that he may give me timber, in order that I may be able to cover the gates of the tower of the house, and the walls of the city, and the house that I will enter." And the king granted to me in accord with the good hand of my God, who is with me
Luke
57And it happened that, as they were walking along the way, someone said to him, "I will follow you, wherever you will go.58Jesus said to him: "Foxes have dens, and the birds of the air have nests. But the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head.59Then he said to another, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.60And Jesus said to him: "Let the dead bury their dead. But you go and announce the kingdom of God.61And another said: "I will follow you, Lord. But permit me first to explain this to those of my house.62Jesus said to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow, and then looks back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
Sermon
The first reading from Nehemiah tells the story of a man who, despite his position of comfort and privilege as a cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, cannot ignore the suffering of his people. Nehemiah’s heart is heavy because the city of Jerusalem lies in ruins, its gates burned and its people scattered. When the king notices his sadness, Nehemiah seizes the moment to pray and then boldly asks for permission to return to Judea and rebuild the city. The king, moved by Nehemiah’s sincerity and faith, grants his request, even providing letters of support for his journey. This passage shows us the power of prayer, courage, and trust in God’s providence.
In the Gospel, Jesus encounters three individuals who express a desire to follow him, but each is held back by some attachment or excuse. Jesus’ responses are striking: he calls them to radical discipleship, insisting that following him must take precedence over even the most natural human obligations. To one, he says, “Let the dead bury their dead,” emphasizing that the call of the kingdom cannot wait. To another, he warns that looking back while plowing makes one unfit for the kingdom. These exchanges remind us that following Christ demands total commitment and a willingness to prioritize our relationship with him above all else.
Both readings invite us to reflect on our own response to God’s call in our lives. Like Nehemiah, we may face challenges or opportunities to serve others, but it requires courage and faith to act. Like the would-be followers in the Gospel, we may be tempted to delay or hesitate, letting worldly concerns hold us back. Today’s readings challenge us to trust in God’s plan, to pray boldly, and to embrace the sacrifices that come with living a life of faith. Let us ask ourselves: Am I willing to step out in faith, even when it feels uncomfortable or uncertain? Am I prioritizing my relationship with Christ above all else? May we, like Nehemiah, find the strength to act with courage and trust in God’s goodness.