Daily Readings - Tue Sep 23 2025
Ezra
1King Darius then issued an order, and they searched in the archives stored in the treasury at Babylon.6Now then, Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and you, their fellow officials of that province, stay away from there.7Do not interfere with the work on this temple of God. Let the governor of the Jews and the Jewish elders rebuild this house of God on its site.8Moreover, I hereby decree what you are to do for these elders of the Jews in the construction of this house of God: The expenses of these men are to be fully paid out of the royal treasury, from the revenues of Trans-Euphrates, so that the work will not stop.12May God, who has caused his Name to dwell there, overthrow any king or people who lifts a hand to change this decree or to destroy this temple in Jerusalem. I Darius have decreed it. Let it be carried out with diligence.14So the elders of the Jews continued to build and prosper under the preaching of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah, a descendant of Iddo. They finished building the temple according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus, Darius and Artaxerxes, kings of Persia.15The temple was completed on the third day of the month Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius.16Then the people of Israel-the priests, the Levites and the rest of the exiles-celebrated the dedication of the house of God with joy.17For the dedication of this house of God they offered a hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred male lambs and, as a sin offering for all Israel, twelve male goats, one for each of the tribes of Israel.18And they installed the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their groups for the service of God at Jerusalem, according to what is written in the Book of Moses.19On the fourteenth day of the first month, the exiles celebrated the Passover.20The priests and Levites had purified themselves and were all ceremonially clean. The Levites slaughtered the Passover lamb for all the exiles, for their brothers the priests and for themselves.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on the essence of community and perseverance in our faith journey. The first reading from Ezra recounts the challenges faced by the people of Judah as they sought to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. Despite facing opposition, they persevered, supported by the decree of King Darius, and ultimately succeeded in completing the Temple. This story underscores the importance of standing firm in the face of adversity and trusting in God's providence. The second reading from Luke presents Jesus teaching about the true meaning of family. When informed that his mother and brothers were outside, Jesus expands the concept of family to include all those who hear and live by God's word, emphasizing that our spiritual family is defined by our commitment to faith.
Both readings highlight the importance of community and perseverance. In Ezra, the community comes together to rebuild the Temple, overcoming external obstacles through their collective effort and faith. In Luke, Jesus redefines family to include those who share a common spiritual purpose. These themes remind us that our faith is not isolated but is lived out within a community that supports and encourages us. Just as the Israelites worked together to rebuild the Temple, we too are called to build up the Body of Christ, supporting one another in living out our faith.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, we are reminded to stand firm in our faith, even when faced with challenges. Like the Israelites, we may encounter obstacles, but with perseverance and trust in God, we can overcome them. Additionally, Jesus' teaching challenges us to think about how we define our spiritual family. Are we actively building relationships with others who share our commitment to God's word? Are we living in a way that reflects our identity as children of God? Let us strive to be part of a community that supports and encourages one another in living out our faith, just as the early Christians did. May we, like the Israelites, rebuild and restore our spiritual lives, and may we, like Jesus' true family, hear and do the word of God.