In 538 BC King Cyrus of Persia helped the Israelites to return to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon. There Ezra and Nehemiah shared the tasks of re-establishing the Jewish state and religion. Nehemiah rebuilt the city’s walls and administration. In today’s reading we hear about Ezra’s formal reading of the Jewish Law, and the people’s joyous celebration of God’s gift of the Law.
The psalm praises God’s moral law – and asks forgiveness for our transgressions.
In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians he compares a community to the human body. Every Christian becomes part of Christ’s body by baptism. So all gifts come from the spirit; all gifts are necessary; all contribute to the good of the whole community. All Christians are equally valuable and wanted by God.
Our reading of Luke’s Gospel over the ordinary Sundays of Year C now resumes, to be interrupted only for Eastertide. First we are reminded of Luke’s reason for writing a gospel: he is carefully putting into an orderly sequence what he has heard from eye-witnesses, so that his hearers may “realise the certainty of the teachings” they have received. Today’s reading then continues from the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee, including his self-proclamation in his home town. Next week we hear his neighbours’ reactions.
Psalm Response: Your words are spirit, Lord, and they are life.