Daily Readings - Mon Sep 25 2023
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
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on God's revelation and our response to it. The first reading from Ezra recounts the decree of Cyrus, the Persian king, who, inspired by God, allows the Israelites to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. This passage highlights God's providence and the fulfillment of prophecy, as Cyrus, a pagan ruler, becomes an instrument of divine will. The Israelites, sensing God's call, rise to the challenge, supported by their neighbors, to restore the sacred place of worship.
In the Gospel, Luke presents Jesus teaching about the importance of openness and attentive listening. Using the metaphor of a candle, Jesus emphasizes that light is meant to be visible, not hidden. He warns that our response to God's word determines whether we will receive more or lose what we have. This teaching underscores the responsibility that comes with hearing and living according to God's truth.
These readings remind us that God's work is not hidden but revealed in history and in our lives. Like the Israelites, we are called to respond to God's initiatives with faith and courage. And like the listeners in Luke's Gospel, we must be attentive and open to the light of God's word, allowing it to guide and transform us. May we, too, be vessels of God's light, living with transparency and fidelity, so that His presence may shine through us in the world.