Daily Readings - Mon Sep 25 2023
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
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on God's revelation and our response to it. The first reading from Ezra recounts the decree of Cyrus, the Persian king, who, inspired by God, allows the Israelites to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. This passage highlights God's providence and the fulfillment of prophecy, as Cyrus, a pagan ruler, becomes an instrument of divine will. The Israelites, sensing God's call, rise to the challenge, supported by their neighbors, to restore the sacred place of worship.
In the Gospel, Luke presents Jesus teaching about the importance of openness and attentive listening. Using the metaphor of a candle, Jesus emphasizes that light is meant to be visible, not hidden. He warns that our response to God's word determines whether we will receive more or lose what we have. This teaching underscores the responsibility that comes with hearing and living according to God's truth.
These readings remind us that God's work is not hidden but revealed in history and in our lives. Like the Israelites, we are called to respond to God's initiatives with faith and courage. And like the listeners in Luke's Gospel, we must be attentive and open to the light of God's word, allowing it to guide and transform us. May we, too, be vessels of God's light, living with transparency and fidelity, so that His presence may shine through us in the world.