Daily Readings - Wed Sep 27 2017
Ezra
5And at the evening sacrifice I rose from my fasting, with my garment and my cloak torn, and fell upon my knees and spread out my hands to the LORD my God,6saying:"O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens.7From the days of our fathers to this day we have been in great guilt. And for our iniquities we, our kings, and our priests have been given into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, to plundering, and to utter shame, as it is today.8But now for a brief moment favor has been shown by the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant and to give us a secure hold within his holy place, that our God may brighten our eyes and grant us a little reviving in our slavery.9For we are slaves. Yet our God has not forsaken us in our slavery, but has extended to us his steadfast love before the kings of Persia, to grant us some reviving to set up the house of our God, to repair its ruins, and to give us protection in Judea and Jerusalem.
Luke
1And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases,2and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.3And he said to them, "Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics.4And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart.5And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them."6And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound themes that guide us in our spiritual journey: the power of humble confession and the call to trust in God's providence.
First, Ezra's prayer in the First Reading is a heartfelt confession on behalf of his people, acknowledging their sins and expressing deep regret. This passage, set in the post-exilic period, reflects the Israelites' return to Jerusalem and their efforts to rebuild their community. Ezra's prayer underscores the importance of humility and recognition of our failings, inviting us to approach God with sincerity and contrition.
In the Gospel, Luke shares the story of Jesus sending out the Twelve Apostles, equipping them to preach and heal. Jesus' instructions to travel lightly and trust in God's provision highlight the theme of reliance on divine grace. This mission is a pivotal moment in the early Church, demonstrating Jesus' trust in His disciples and their commitment to spreading His message.
These readings connect through their emphasis on trust and humility. Ezra's confession shows trust in God's mercy, while the apostles' mission exemplifies trust in God's provision. Together, they remind us to approach life with humility, acknowledging our limitations, and to trust in God's faithfulness.
In our daily lives, this means embracing humility and trusting in God's plan. Just as the apostles depended on God's providence, we too can face life's challenges with faith, knowing that our true strength comes from Him. Let us, like Ezra, confess our sins with sincerity and, like the apostles, step out in boldness, trusting in God's guidance and mercy.