Daily Readings - Wed Oct 04 2023
Nehemiah
1And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence.2Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid,3And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?4Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.5And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it.6And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.7Moreover I said unto the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river, that they may convey me over till I come into Judah;8And a letter unto Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the palace which appertained to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into. And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me.
Luke
57And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.58And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.59And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.60Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.61And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.62And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
Sermon
The first reading from Nehemiah tells the story of a man who, despite his position of comfort and privilege as a cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, cannot ignore the suffering of his people. Nehemiah’s heart is heavy because the city of Jerusalem lies in ruins, its gates burned and its people scattered. When the king notices his sadness, Nehemiah seizes the moment to pray and then boldly asks for permission to return to Judea and rebuild the city. The king, moved by Nehemiah’s sincerity and faith, grants his request, even providing letters of support for his journey. This passage shows us the power of prayer, courage, and trust in God’s providence.
In the Gospel, Jesus encounters three individuals who express a desire to follow him, but each is held back by some attachment or excuse. Jesus’ responses are striking: he calls them to radical discipleship, insisting that following him must take precedence over even the most natural human obligations. To one, he says, “Let the dead bury their dead,” emphasizing that the call of the kingdom cannot wait. To another, he warns that looking back while plowing makes one unfit for the kingdom. These exchanges remind us that following Christ demands total commitment and a willingness to prioritize our relationship with him above all else.
Both readings invite us to reflect on our own response to God’s call in our lives. Like Nehemiah, we may face challenges or opportunities to serve others, but it requires courage and faith to act. Like the would-be followers in the Gospel, we may be tempted to delay or hesitate, letting worldly concerns hold us back. Today’s readings challenge us to trust in God’s plan, to pray boldly, and to embrace the sacrifices that come with living a life of faith. Let us ask ourselves: Am I willing to step out in faith, even when it feels uncomfortable or uncertain? Am I prioritizing my relationship with Christ above all else? May we, like Nehemiah, find the strength to act with courage and trust in God’s goodness.