Daily Readings - Wed Oct 01 2025
Nehemiah
1In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before;2so the king asked me, "Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart." I was very much afraid,3but I said to the king, "May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?"4The king said to me, "What is it you want?" Then I prayed to the God of heaven,5and I answered the king, "If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are buried so that I can rebuild it."6Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, "How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?" It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time.7I also said to him, "If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah?8And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king's forest, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?" And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests.
Luke
57As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go."58Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."59He said to another man, "Follow me." But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."60Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God."61Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good bye to my family."62Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on our response to God's call. The first reading from Nehemiah introduces us to a man of deep faith and courage. Nehemiah, a cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, is moved by the desolation of Jerusalem and seeks permission to rebuild it. His prayerful approach and the king's favorable response highlight the importance of trusting in God's providence and taking bold action for the greater good.
The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus challenging three potential followers, emphasizing the radical commitment required for discipleship. Each interaction underscores that following Jesus means surrendering personal comforts and priorities for the sake of the kingdom. This teaching is set against the backdrop of Jesus' journey to Jerusalem, where he continually emphasizes the cost of discipleship.
Both readings relate through their themes of call and response. Nehemiah's call to rebuild Jerusalem and Jesus' call to follow him remind us that our faith is not passive but active. They challenge us to discern God's will in our lives and to trust in His guidance, even when the path is uncertain or difficult. As we navigate our own journeys, may we embrace the courage and commitment exemplified by Nehemiah and the teachings of Jesus, prioritizing God's will above all else. Let us strive to follow with hearts fully dedicated, trusting that our sacrifices will bear fruit in His kingdom.