Daily Readings - Wed Sep 27 2023
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 powerful moments of surrender and trust in God’s providence. The first reading from Ezra captures a moment of deep humility and repentance. Ezra, a leader of the Jewish people after their return from exile, confesses the sins of his people before God. He acknowledges their failures and expresses shame, yet he also recognizes God’s mercy and faithfulness. Ezra’s prayer reminds us that true repentance involves not only acknowledging our sins but also trusting in God’s steadfast love and forgiveness. The reading invites us to reflect on our own relationship with God, encouraging us to approach him with humility and openness, even in the face of our shortcomings.
The Gospel reading from Luke shifts our focus to Jesus sending out the Twelve Apostles to preach the kingdom of God and heal the sick. Jesus instructs them to travel lightly, without extra provisions, trusting that God will provide for their needs. This passage highlights the importance of detachment and reliance on divine providence. The apostles are called to be messengers of God’s love and mercy, and their mission is not about self-sufficiency but about trusting in God’s plan. This teaching challenges us to examine our own lives: Do we trust God enough to let go of our need for control? Are we willing to step out in faith, even when the path ahead is uncertain?
Both readings remind us that our lives are not our own, but are part of a larger story of God’s work in the world. Ezra’s prayer teaches us to approach God with humility and gratitude, while the Gospel calls us to live with courage and trust, knowing that God will provide. As we go about our daily lives, let us strive to imitate this surrender and trust. May we, like the apostles, embrace our mission to share God’s love, and may we, like Ezra, humbly acknowledge our dependence on God’s mercy. In doing so, we open ourselves to the transformative power of his grace, allowing him to work through us in ways we cannot yet imagine.