Daily Readings - Mon Sep 20 2021
Ezra
1In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing:2"Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.3Whoever is among you of all his people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of the LORD, the God of Israel--he is the God who is in Jerusalem.4And let each survivor, in whatever place he sojourns, be assisted by the men of his place with silver and gold, with goods and with beasts, besides freewill offerings for the house of God that is in Jerusalem."5Then rose up the heads of the fathers' houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, everyone whose spirit God had stirred to go up to rebuild the house of the LORD that is in Jerusalem.6And all who were about them aided them with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, with beasts, and with costly wares, besides all that was freely offered.
Luke
16"No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.17For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.18Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on God’s providence and our responsibility to live as faithful stewards of His gifts. In the first reading from Ezra, we see how God moves the heart of Cyrus, a pagan king, to allow the Israelites to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. This passage highlights God’s ability to work through unexpected means to fulfill His plan. The Israelites, now freed from exile, are called to collaborate in this sacred task, with each person contributing according to their ability. This moment marks a new beginning for God’s people, a sign of hope and renewal after a season of darkness.
In the Gospel, Jesus reminds us that the light of God’s truth cannot remain hidden. Using the image of a lamp, He teaches that our faith and the gifts we receive are meant to be shared openly with others. Jesus also warns us to listen carefully, for how we respond to God’s word will determine whether we grow in faith or lose even what we have. This is both a call to accountability and an encouragement to live transparently, allowing the light of Christ to shine through our words and actions.
Together, these readings challenge us to recognize that we, like the Israelites, are part of a larger story. God has entrusted us with unique gifts and talents, and we are called to use them for the building up of His kingdom. Whether through acts of service, sharing our faith, or simply living with integrity, we are to be visible signs of God’s presence in the world. Let us ask ourselves: Are we using our resources and talents to further God’s plan? Are we living in such a way that others can see the light of Christ in us? May we respond generously to God’s call, knowing that our efforts, no matter how small, contribute to something much greater than ourselves.