Daily Readings - Mon Sep 22 2025
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 our response to God's call and the responsibility that comes with it. The first reading from Ezra describes a pivotal moment in Israel's history, where King Cyrus, inspired by God, decrees the return of the Israelites from exile to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. This act of restoration is not just a physical endeavor but a spiritual one, as the people collectively contribute their resources and efforts, driven by a renewed sense of purpose and faith.
The Gospel reading from Luke presents Jesus teaching about the importance of how we receive and act on God's word. Using the metaphor of a candle, Jesus emphasizes that light is meant to be visible and transformative. He warns that our response to His teachings will determine our spiritual state—those who embrace the word will grow in faith, while those who neglect it risk losing even what they have.
These readings remind us that our faith is not passive but active. Like the Israelites, we are called to participate in God's work, whether through sharing our talents, resources, or time to build up the Body of Christ. Jesus' teaching urges us to be mindful of how we listen and respond to His word, ensuring that it illuminates our lives and the lives of others. The moral lesson here is clear: our responsiveness and responsibility in faith are crucial. Just as the Israelites acted on their freedom to rebuild, we must actively engage with God's word and live it out, not merely receive it passively. Let us embrace this call with purpose and dedication, allowing God's light to shine through us.