Daily Readings - Wed Oct 01 2025
Nehemiah
1In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence.2And the king said to me, "Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of the heart." Then I was very much afraid.3I said to the king, "Let the king live forever! Why should not my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' graves, lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?"4Then the king said to me, "What are you requesting?" So I prayed to the God of heaven.5And I said to the king, "If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' graves, that I may rebuild it."6And the king said to me (the queen sitting beside him), "How long will you be gone, and when will you return?" So it pleased the king to send me when I had given him a time.7And I said to the king, "If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors of the province Beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah,8and a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress of the temple, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall occupy." And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me.
Luke
57As they were going along the road, someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go."58And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head."59To another he said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father."60And Jesus said to him, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God."61Yet another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home."62Jesus said to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on our response to God's call. The first reading from Nehemiah introduces us to a man of deep faith and courage. Nehemiah, a cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, is moved by the desolation of Jerusalem and seeks permission to rebuild it. His prayerful approach and the king's favorable response highlight the importance of trusting in God's providence and taking bold action for the greater good.
The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus challenging three potential followers, emphasizing the radical commitment required for discipleship. Each interaction underscores that following Jesus means surrendering personal comforts and priorities for the sake of the kingdom. This teaching is set against the backdrop of Jesus' journey to Jerusalem, where he continually emphasizes the cost of discipleship.
Both readings relate through their themes of call and response. Nehemiah's call to rebuild Jerusalem and Jesus' call to follow him remind us that our faith is not passive but active. They challenge us to discern God's will in our lives and to trust in His guidance, even when the path is uncertain or difficult. As we navigate our own journeys, may we embrace the courage and commitment exemplified by Nehemiah and the teachings of Jesus, prioritizing God's will above all else. Let us strive to follow with hearts fully dedicated, trusting that our sacrifices will bear fruit in His kingdom.