Daily Readings - Wed Sep 25 2019
Ezra
5Then, at the evening sacrifice, I rose from my self-abasement, with my tunic and cloak torn, and fell on my knees with my hands spread out to the LORD my God6and prayed: "O my God, I am too ashamed and disgraced to lift up my face to you, my God, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens.7From the days of our forefathers until now, our guilt has been great. Because of our sins, we and our kings and our priests have been subjected to the sword and captivity, to pillage and humiliation at the hand of foreign kings, as it is today.8"But now, for a brief moment, the LORD our God has been gracious in leaving us a remnant and giving us a firm place in his sanctuary, and so our God gives light to our eyes and a little relief in our bondage.9Though we are slaves, our God has not deserted us in our bondage. He has shown us kindness in the sight of the kings of Persia: He has granted us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins, and he has given us a wall of protection in Judah and Jerusalem.
Luke
1When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases,2and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.3He told them: "Take nothing for the journey--no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic.4Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town.5If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them."6So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound reflections on trust and faith. The first reading from Ezra 9:5-9 presents a heartfelt prayer of confession, where Ezra acknowledges the sins of his people and humbly recognizes God's enduring mercy. This passage, set in the post-exilic period, highlights the Israelites' efforts to rebuild their lives and faith after captivity. Ezra's prayer underscores the importance of humility and trust in God's providence, despite past failures.
The Gospel from Luke 9:1-6 shifts our focus to Jesus sending out the twelve apostles, empowering them to heal and preach. Jesus instructs them to travel lightly, relying solely on God's provision. This mission emphasizes trust and dependence on divine grace, teaching the apostles to embrace simplicity and faith. The act of shaking dust off their feet serves as a testament to those who reject the message, illustrating the consequences of turning away from God.
Both readings beautifully intertwine, reminding us of the necessity of trusting God in all circumstances. Ezra's confession and the apostles' mission call us to live with humility and faith, recognizing our dependence on God's grace. As we navigate our daily lives, let us embrace this trust, allowing it to guide our actions and decisions. May we, like the apostles, be faithful witnesses, trusting in God's providence and living with hearts open to His will.