Lectionary 458: A Layman’s Take

Key:

What these passages tell us about God

What these passages tell us to do

What these passages tell us not to do

Commentary/observations

 

Reading 1 NEH 8:1-4A, 5-6, 7B-12

The whole people gathered as one in the open space before the Water Gate, and they called upon Ezra the scribe to bring forth the book of the law of Moses which the LORD prescribed for Israel. On the first day of the seventh month, therefore, Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, which consisted of men, women, and those children old enough to understand. Standing at one end of the open place that was before the Water Gate, he read out of the book from daybreak until midday, in the presence of the men, the women, and those children old enough to understand; and all the people listened attentively to the book of the law.

Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that had been made for the occasion.
He opened the scroll so that all the people might see it (for he was standing higher up than any of the people); and, as he opened it, all the people rose. Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people, their hands raised high, answered, “Amen, amen!"

Then they bowed down and prostrated themselves before the LORD, their faces to the ground. As the people remained in their places, Ezra read plainly from the book of the law of God, interpreting it so that all could understand what was read.

Then Nehemiah, that is, His Excellency, and Ezra the priest-scribe and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all the people: "Today is holy to the LORD your God.
Do not be sad, and do not weep"– for all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law. He said further: "Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks, and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared; for today is holy to our LORD. Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the LORD must be your strength!" And the Levites quieted all the people, saying, "Hush, for today is holy, and you must not be saddened."

Then all the people went to eat and drink, to distribute portions, and to celebrate with great joy, for they understood the words that had been expounded to them.

Responsorial Psalm PS 19:8, 9, 10, 11

R. (9ab) The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul; The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The command of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eye;
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
They are more precious than gold, than a heap of purest gold; Sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

Alleluia MK 1:15

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel LK 10:1-12

Jesus appointed seventy-two other disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them,

 "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.  Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.

 Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; greet no one along the way.

Into whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this household.' If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.

Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, 'The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.'

Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say,
'The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.' Yet know this: the Kingdom of God is at hand. I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town."

Today is holy to the LORD your God. Do not be sad, and do not weep"

allot portions to those who had nothing prepared; for today is holy to our LORD

Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the LORD must be your strength!"

1.    God wants us to be joyful in His presence

2.   God does not want anything to interfere with our fellowship with Him; not guilt over dealt with/confessed sin, not material want

The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul;

The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;

The command of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eye;
The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever;

The ordinances of the LORD are true, all of them just.
They are more precious than gold, than a heap of purest gold; Sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb.

3.   God and His word are unfailingly good and beneficial. See Wisdom 7:22-23

The Kingdom of God is at hand

I am sending you like lambs among wolves.

4.   God is accessible right now and we are to do our part to bring His love to folks where we are, even if it seems daunting/involves risk

listened attentively to the book of the law.

they bowed down and prostrated themselves before the LORD,

5.    We are to focus reverently on God’s word

Ezra read plainly from the book of the law of God, interpreting it so that all could understand

6.   God wants us to understand what He is saying to us

allot portions to those who had nothing prepared

7.    We must share with others so that they can participate in the joy God desires for all.

rejoicing in the LORD must be your strength!

repent and believe in the Gospel.

ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.  

8.   We are to ask God for help in accomplishing the work He wants done

Go on your way

9.   Get moving, get going, get on it!

Into whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this household.'

10.                  Extend goodwill, God’s love, to all without exception

eat what is set before you

11. Trust God; and accept and be content with whatever provision He makes for you

cure the sick

12.Do the affirmative, practical, good for others that God has empowered/equipped you to do.

say to them, 'The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.'

13.Let folks know that God is the source of the blessings you bestow on them

Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say,
'The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.

14.Do not dwell on/be discouraged by those who reject the good you offer them.

Do not be saddened this day,

today is holy, and you must not be saddened.

Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals

greet no one along the way.

15. Stay focused on, do not let yourself be distracted from, the task God gives you, even by “good” things

Do not move about from one house to another