25th Week, Monday, Sept 20
Ezra 1:1-6 / Lk 8:16-18
Cyrus frees the exiled Jews; They prepared to return home.
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Do we appreciate the homecoming God gives us upon our return after having been held prisoner by our own sinfulness? God welcomes us back home after sin the way the father welcomed back the prodigal son in the Gospel. "He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.” Luke 15:20
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With the proclamation of Cyrus, king of Persia, who freed the exiles, the Jews could return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple, a sign of God’s presence, and to become the community of God’s people. Thus, they themselves would be a living temple given the task of bearing witness to the God of Israel.
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During the 60s and the 70s, there was an emphasis to pray for the conversion of Russia. During that period, Communism spread and threatened not only the democratic governments but also the Church. At that time who would believe that in something like 30 years, the mighty Soviet Union would break up and the Berlin Wall would crumble and Communism would lose its sting? If 30 years seemed like a long time, then how about 70 years? That was how long the Jews were in exile in the foreign land of Babylon. But when Cyrus, king of Persia came into power, he made the surprise decision to let the Jews go back to their homeland and even offered to help them rebuild the Temple. So 70 years of darkness and hopelessness gave way to the long-awaited light.
When we go through the dark and rough period of our lives, let us reflect on how often God has delivered His people from bondage. God's marvellous light shines through the dark and hopeless periods bringing about freedom and joy.
God's light is to shine through us. May we be lamp-stands so that others can see the light of God.
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The mysteries of the kingdom have been entrusted to the disciples. They are not given to them as knowledge to be given exclusively to the initiates of a secret society. They are God's revelation for all men on this earth. The apostles are to be the lamp. The good news should spread like the light, with the speed of light, and penetrate wherever there is no obstruction. The light they pass on is Christ's, not theirs, just as all energy comes from the sun. Like the parables, his message requires an effort to understand. Nothing is hidden that will not be made clear. This will not happen without effort from our side. "Take care how you listen," says Jesus. There are evidently various ways of listening. We have to find them and help others to understand. By helping others to understand, we ourselves learn to understand it much better.
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Christ speaks of the word of God as a light that cannot remain hidden; it should shine in the lives of those who believe in the gospel, so that they can bear witness to Christ and his message.
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Opening Prayer
Lord our God, you want our faith to be a lamp placed on a lamp-stand so that people might see your light and not stumble in the dark. Speak your word to us, give us the life-giving Spirit of your Son, his Spirit of unity and freedom, that we may be to the world the new humanity of Jesus Christ, who lives with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
