Daily Readings - Mon Sep 22 2025
Ezra
1In the first year of Cyrus, king of the Persians, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus, king of the Persians, so that the word of the Lord from the mouth of Jeremiah would be fulfilled. And he sent out a voice, throughout his entire kingdom, and also in writing, saying2"Thus says Cyrus, the king of the Persians: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given all the kingdoms of the earth to me, and he himself has instructed me that I should build a house for him in Jerusalem, which is in Judea3Who among you is from his entire people? May his God be with him. Let him ascend to Jerusalem, which is in Judea, and let him build the house of the Lord, the God of Israel. He is the God who is in Jerusalem4And let all who remain, in all the places wherever they may live, assist him, each man from his place, with silver and gold, and goods and cattle, in addition to whatever they may offer voluntarily to the temple of God, which is in Jerusalem.5And the leaders of the fathers from Judah and from Benjamin, with the priests, and the Levites, and all those whose spirit was stirred by God, rose up, so that they might ascend to build the temple of the Lord, which was in Jerusalem6And all those who were all around assisted their hands with vessels of silver and gold, with goods and cattle, with equipment, in addition to whatever they had offered freely
Luke
16Now no one, lighting a candle, covers it with a container, or sets it under a bed. Instead, he places it on a lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light17For there is nothing secret, which will not be made clear, nor is there anything hidden, which will not be known and be brought into plain sight18Therefore, take care how you listen. For whoever has, it will be given to him; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on our response to God's call and the responsibility that comes with it. The first reading from Ezra describes a pivotal moment in Israel's history, where King Cyrus, inspired by God, decrees the return of the Israelites from exile to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. This act of restoration is not just a physical endeavor but a spiritual one, as the people collectively contribute their resources and efforts, driven by a renewed sense of purpose and faith.
The Gospel reading from Luke presents Jesus teaching about the importance of how we receive and act on God's word. Using the metaphor of a candle, Jesus emphasizes that light is meant to be visible and transformative. He warns that our response to His teachings will determine our spiritual state—those who embrace the word will grow in faith, while those who neglect it risk losing even what they have.
These readings remind us that our faith is not passive but active. Like the Israelites, we are called to participate in God's work, whether through sharing our talents, resources, or time to build up the Body of Christ. Jesus' teaching urges us to be mindful of how we listen and respond to His word, ensuring that it illuminates our lives and the lives of others. The moral lesson here is clear: our responsiveness and responsibility in faith are crucial. Just as the Israelites acted on their freedom to rebuild, we must actively engage with God's word and live it out, not merely receive it passively. Let us embrace this call with purpose and dedication, allowing God's light to shine through us.