Daily Readings - Sun Jan 26 2025
Nehemiah
2So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month.3And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.4And Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand, and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam on his left hand.5And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood.6And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people answered, "Amen, Amen," lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.8They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.9And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep." For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law.10Then he said to them, "Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
1 Corinthians
12For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.13For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--Jews or Greeks, slaves or free--and all were made to drink of one Spirit.14For the body does not consist of one member but of many.27Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
Luke
1Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us,2just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us,3it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,4that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.
14And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country.15And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.16And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read.17And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,18"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,19to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."20And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.21And he began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the power of God’s Word and its transformative impact on our lives and communities. In the first reading from Nehemiah, we see the people of Israel gathered to hear Ezra read from the law. This moment is deeply emotional for them; they weep as they listen to the words of the law, recognizing how far they have strayed from God’s ways. Yet Ezra and Nehemiah remind them that this day is holy, a time not for mourning but for celebration and joy. The people are called to share in the richness of God’s love and to extend that love to others, even to those who have not prepared for themselves. This reading reminds us that God’s Word has the power to convict us, but it also brings us hope and strength.
In the second reading from 1 Corinthians, Paul emphasizes the unity and diversity of the body of Christ. Just as a human body is made up of many parts, each with its own function, so too is the Church. We are all part of Christ’s body, and each of us has a unique role to play in building up the community. This reading challenges us to recognize our interconnectedness and to value the contributions of every member, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant. It is through this unity in diversity that we truly become the body of Christ, living out the love and mission of Jesus in the world.
In the Gospel, Luke shows us Jesus fulfilling his mission as the Messiah. He reads from the prophet Isaiah, announcing that the Spirit of the Lord is upon him, anointing him to bring good news to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. This passage is a declaration of Jesus’ identity and purpose. It also reminds us that we, as his followers, are called to continue his mission. Just as the Spirit was upon Jesus, the same Spirit dwells within us, empowering us to live out the values of the kingdom of God.
Today’s readings call us to reflect on our own relationship with God’s Word and our place within the body of Christ. Like the people in Nehemiah, we are invited to listen to God’s Word with open hearts, allowing it to transform us and bring us joy. Like Paul’s vision of the Church, we are reminded that we are not alone but are part of a larger community, each with a unique role to play. And like Jesus, we are called to live out the mission of love and compassion in the world. May we embrace these truths and allow them to shape our lives, so that we may truly be the body of Christ, living in unity, joy, and service to others.