Daily Readings - Tue Sep 23 2025
Ezra
1Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.6Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from thence:7Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in his place.8Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king's goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered.12And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed.14And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.15And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.16And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy,17And offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.18And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.19And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth day of the first month.20For the priests and the Levites were purified together, all of them were pure, and killed the passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.
Luke
19Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press.20And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.21And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on the essence of community and perseverance in our faith journey. The first reading from Ezra recounts the challenges faced by the people of Judah as they sought to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. Despite facing opposition, they persevered, supported by the decree of King Darius, and ultimately succeeded in completing the Temple. This story underscores the importance of standing firm in the face of adversity and trusting in God's providence. The second reading from Luke presents Jesus teaching about the true meaning of family. When informed that his mother and brothers were outside, Jesus expands the concept of family to include all those who hear and live by God's word, emphasizing that our spiritual family is defined by our commitment to faith.
Both readings highlight the importance of community and perseverance. In Ezra, the community comes together to rebuild the Temple, overcoming external obstacles through their collective effort and faith. In Luke, Jesus redefines family to include those who share a common spiritual purpose. These themes remind us that our faith is not isolated but is lived out within a community that supports and encourages us. Just as the Israelites worked together to rebuild the Temple, we too are called to build up the Body of Christ, supporting one another in living out our faith.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, we are reminded to stand firm in our faith, even when faced with challenges. Like the Israelites, we may encounter obstacles, but with perseverance and trust in God, we can overcome them. Additionally, Jesus' teaching challenges us to think about how we define our spiritual family. Are we actively building relationships with others who share our commitment to God's word? Are we living in a way that reflects our identity as children of God? Let us strive to be part of a community that supports and encourages one another in living out our faith, just as the early Christians did. May we, like the Israelites, rebuild and restore our spiritual lives, and may we, like Jesus' true family, hear and do the word of God.