First reading Ezra 9:5-9
‘God has not forgotten us in our slavery’
At the evening sacrifice I, Ezra, came out of my stupor and falling on my knees, with my garment and cloak torn, I stretched out my hands to the Lord my God, and said:
‘My God, I am ashamed, I blush to lift my face to you, my God. For our crimes have increased, until they are higher than our heads, and our sin has piled up to heaven. From the days of our ancestors until now our guilt has been great; on account of our crimes we, our kings and our priests, were given into the power of the kings of other countries, given to the sword, to captivity, to pillage and to shame, as is the case today. But now, suddenly, the Lord our God by his favour has left us a remnant and granted us a refuge in his holy place; this is how our God has cheered our eyes and given us a little respite in our slavery. For we are slaves; but God has not forgotten us in our slavery; he has shown us kindness in the eyes of the kings of Persia, obtaining permission for us to rebuild the Temple of our God and restore its ruins, and he has found us safety and shelter in Judah and in Jerusalem.’
Responsorial Psalm Tobit 13:2,4,6-8
Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
God punishes, he also has mercy,
he leads men to the depths of the grave,
he restores men from the great destruction.
No man can escape his hand.
It is he who scattered us among the nations.
Among them must we show forth our greatness
and exalt him in the presence of all living;
for he is our Lord and our God,
our Father and our God for ever.
Now think what he has done for you,
give thanks to him with all your voice.
Give praise to the Lord for his justice
and exalt the king of all ages.
In this land of exile I will thank him,
and show forth his greatness and might
to the race of sinful men.
Sinners, come back to him,
do what is right before him.
Who knows but he will receive you with pity?
Gospel Luke 9:1-6
‘Take nothing for the journey’
Jesus called the Twelve together and gave them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. He said to them, ‘Take nothing for the journey: neither staff, nor haversack, nor bread, nor money; and let none of you take a spare tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there; and when you leave, let it be from there. As for those who do not welcome you, when you leave their town shake the dust from your feet as a sign to them.’ So they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the Good News and healing everywhere.
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Remembering the goodness of God
“For we are slaves, but God has not forgotten us in our slavery; he has shown us kindness…” (1st reading). In his prayer, Ezra remembered with wonderment the faithfulness of God despite the unfaithfulness of His people. In His goodness, God brought the remnant of Israel back from exile to their own homeland. Though the future was uncertain, Ezra trusted God’s faithful love and mercy. This passage invites us to remember with gratitude all God has done for us. The act of remembering is important because we become mindful of God’s faithful love for us, even when we have chosen to wander away from Him. It helps us to trust and hope in Him as we journey on through the joys and sadness of life.
In the gospel, Jesus sends us out to bring the Good News that God is faithful love to the people around us. May our words we speak, the options we make, and the gestures we do be signs pointing the way for others to encounter God.
Reflective question:
What are the key experiences of God’s love that I have in life?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Sandra Seow FMVD.
