Daily Readings - Mon Sep 25 2017
Ezra
1In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and to put it in writing:2"This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: "'The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah.3Anyone of his people among you-may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the LORD, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem.4And the people of any place where survivors may now be living are to provide him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem.'"5Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and Levites-everyone whose heart God had moved-prepared to go up and build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem.6All their neighbors assisted them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with valuable gifts, in addition to all the freewill offerings.
Luke
16"No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.17For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.18Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the theme of openness to God’s plan and the importance of living as faithful stewards of His light in the world. In the first reading from Ezra, we hear the story of Cyrus, the Persian king, who, inspired by God, issues a decree allowing the Israelites to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. This passage reminds us that God works through unexpected people and circumstances to fulfill His purposes. The Israelites, though exiled, are called to trust in God’s providence and respond generously to His call, whether through physical labor or material support.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the nature of light and how it is meant to be shared, not hidden. He warns us to be attentive to how we listen to His word, for those who are open and receptive will receive more, while those who are closed off will lose even what they think they have. This is a call to live with hearts and minds open to God’s truth, allowing His light to shine through us for the benefit of others.
These readings challenge us to examine our own response to God’s call in our lives. Like the Israelites, we are invited to trust in God’s plan and contribute our time, talents, and resources to build up His kingdom. Like the lamp placed on a lampstand, we are called to live transparently and generously, allowing the light of Christ to shine through us. May we, like Cyrus and the returning exiles, be moved by God’s Spirit to act with courage and faith, and may we, like the attentive listener in the Gospel, remain open to the Word of God, so that His light may illuminate our lives and the lives of those around us.