Daily Readings - Tue Sep 24 2019
Ezra
1King Darius then issued an order, and they searched in the archives stored in the treasury at Babylon.6Now then, Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and you, their fellow officials of that province, stay away from there.7Do not interfere with the work on this temple of God. Let the governor of the Jews and the Jewish elders rebuild this house of God on its site.8Moreover, I hereby decree what you are to do for these elders of the Jews in the construction of this house of God: The expenses of these men are to be fully paid out of the royal treasury, from the revenues of Trans-Euphrates, so that the work will not stop.12May God, who has caused his Name to dwell there, overthrow any king or people who lifts a hand to change this decree or to destroy this temple in Jerusalem. I Darius have decreed it. Let it be carried out with diligence.14So the elders of the Jews continued to build and prosper under the preaching of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah, a descendant of Iddo. They finished building the temple according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus, Darius and Artaxerxes, kings of Persia.15The temple was completed on the third day of the month Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius.16Then the people of Israel-the priests, the Levites and the rest of the exiles-celebrated the dedication of the house of God with joy.17For the dedication of this house of God they offered a hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred male lambs and, as a sin offering for all Israel, twelve male goats, one for each of the tribes of Israel.18And they installed the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their groups for the service of God at Jerusalem, according to what is written in the Book of Moses.19On the fourteenth day of the first month, the exiles celebrated the Passover.20The priests and Levites had purified themselves and were all ceremonially clean. The Levites slaughtered the Passover lamb for all the exiles, for their brothers the priests and for themselves.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on faith, community, and commitment. The first reading from Ezra recounts the challenges faced by the Israelites as they rebuilt the Temple in Jerusalem after their exile. Despite opposition, they persevered, supported by King Darius, who recognized the importance of their spiritual mission. Their dedication culminated in a joyful celebration of the Temple's dedication and the Passover, symbolizing their renewed covenant with God.
The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus redefining family. When His mother and brothers arrived, He emphasized that His true family includes those who hear and act on God's word. This teaching challenges us to consider our spiritual family—those who share our commitment to living out faith.
These readings connect through themes of community and perseverance. The Israelites' determination to rebuild the Temple mirrors our own spiritual journeys, where obstacles are inevitable. Jesus' message reminds us that our true community is bound by faith, not just blood ties. In our daily lives, we are called to stay committed to our spiritual goals, just as the Israelites did, and to recognize our broader spiritual family.
May we draw strength from these stories, persevering in faith and embracing our role within the community of believers. Let us live out our faith with dedication and joy, just as the Israelites did, and may our actions reflect our commitment to God's word.