Daily Readings - Wed Sep 27 2017

First Reading - Ezra 9.5-9

⁵And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the LORD my God,⁶And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.⁷Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day.⁸And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.⁹For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.

Gospel - Luke 9.1-6

Luke

Chapter 9

¹Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.²And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.³And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.⁴And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.⁵And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.⁶And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.

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.