Daily Readings - Mon Sep 20 2021
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 God’s providence and our responsibility to live as faithful stewards of His gifts. In the first reading from Ezra, we see how God moves the heart of Cyrus, a pagan king, to allow the Israelites to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. This passage highlights God’s ability to work through unexpected means to fulfill His plan. The Israelites, now freed from exile, are called to collaborate in this sacred task, with each person contributing according to their ability. This moment marks a new beginning for God’s people, a sign of hope and renewal after a season of darkness.
In the Gospel, Jesus reminds us that the light of God’s truth cannot remain hidden. Using the image of a lamp, He teaches that our faith and the gifts we receive are meant to be shared openly with others. Jesus also warns us to listen carefully, for how we respond to God’s word will determine whether we grow in faith or lose even what we have. This is both a call to accountability and an encouragement to live transparently, allowing the light of Christ to shine through our words and actions.
Together, these readings challenge us to recognize that we, like the Israelites, are part of a larger story. God has entrusted us with unique gifts and talents, and we are called to use them for the building up of His kingdom. Whether through acts of service, sharing our faith, or simply living with integrity, we are to be visible signs of God’s presence in the world. Let us ask ourselves: Are we using our resources and talents to further God’s plan? Are we living in such a way that others can see the light of Christ in us? May we respond generously to God’s call, knowing that our efforts, no matter how small, contribute to something much greater than ourselves.