Daily Readings - Wed Sep 24 2025
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 profound expressions of faith and trust in God. The first reading from Ezra 9:5-9 presents Ezra’s heartfelt prayer, acknowledging the sins of his people and expressing deep humility. Ezra recognizes the mercy of God, who, despite their transgressions, has allowed a remnant to survive and the Temple to be rebuilt. This passage underscores themes of repentance, collective guilt, and trust in divine mercy.
The Gospel from Luke 9:1-6 shifts our focus to Jesus sending out the twelve apostles, empowering them to heal and preach. Jesus instructs them to travel lightly, relying on the kindness of others, and to move on if their message is rejected. This passage emphasizes trust in God’s providence, simplicity, and bold missionary work, highlighting the importance of faith and humility in spreading the Kingdom of God.
Both readings invite us to reflect on our trust in God. Like Ezra, we must acknowledge our sins and humbly seek God’s mercy. Like the apostles, we are called to live simply and trust in God’s providence as we share our faith with others. In our daily lives, let us embrace humility, acknowledge our shortcomings, and trust in God’s grace. May we, like the apostles, be bold in our faith, living with simplicity and reliance on God, spreading His love and mercy to all we meet.