Contribute for the Growth of the Church!

 

25th week Tuesday in Ordinary Time

Year One

Ezra 6:7-8,12, 14-20

let the work on this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on its site. Moreover I make a decree regarding what you shall do for these elders of the Jews for the rebuilding of this house of God: the cost is to be paid to these people, in full and without delay, from the royal revenue, the tribute of the province Beyond the River.

May the God who has established his name there overthrow any king or people that shall put forth a hand to alter this, or to destroy this house of God in Jerusalem. I, Darius, make a decree; let it be done with all diligence.”

So the elders of the Jews built and prospered, through the prophesying of the prophet Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo. They finished their building by command of the God of Israel and by decree of Cyrus, Darius, and King Artaxerxes of Persia;  and this house was finished on the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius. The people of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and the rest of the returned exiles, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy. They offered at the dedication of this house of God one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, and as a sin offering for all Israel, twelve male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.  Then they set the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their courses for the service of God at Jerusalem, as it is written in the book of Mose On the fourteenth day of the first month the returned exiles kept the passover.  For both the priests and the Levites had purified themselves; all of them were clean. So they killed the passover lamb for all the returned exiles, for their fellow priests, and for themselves.

Meditation

Contribute for the Growth of the Church!

Humans of all ages took up to build something great, particularly for God and for his name. An undertaking to build is a sign of devotion, gratitude, to give honour, glory and praise to God. It involves great dedication, commitment and sacrifice to complete the construction of a House for God. It is time for people to come together, working together, praying together, supporting each other and carrying on the construction for the glory of God. Building a House for the Lord purifies us, makes us think of God, and gives new life to the people who are involved in it and the generations that are going to make use of the House of the Lord.  At the completion of the House of the Lord in Jerusalem, a great feast was celebrated, and many lambs, rams, goats, and bulls were offered for their sins. The celebration of Passover made them to recall God’s blessings after their exile.  It was a great celebration for priests and people, for they have the House of God to meet God and pray.

Do we rejoice and contribute to building the House of God?

Year Two

Prov 21:1-6, 10-13

Pride Causes Sin!

One’s heart is directed by God. God does good to us through the King and the leaders. One should avoid being proud. Pride leads one to sin. Pride leads to destruction. Pride breaks the relationships and feeds the self-ego. Instead, taking a path of humility is better, and many virtues will be acquired.

Do not pay a deaf ear to the cry of the poor. The cry of the poor will be heard by the Lord. Those who harm the poor will face the pain of the poor. One need not be poor to aid the poor, but be just and share your riches with the poor. Sharing and wishing the good of the poor, you will be blessed.

Do we heed the cry of the poor?

Lk 8:19-21

 Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd.  And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.” But he said to them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it” (Lk 8:19-21).

Meditation

We are always happy to meet our mothers, brothers and sisters. They are interested in us and they desire our good and well-being. We would like to spend time with them and share our good memories of life. But in today’s gospel, we hear the different attitude of Jesus  at the visit of his mother and brothers and  he says, "Who are my mother and brothers?" For Him, all those who hear the Word of God and do the will of His Father in heaven are His mother and brothers. It tells us very vividly that Jesus does not look for physical family ties, though they are good, but looks for spiritual relationships which are much higher.  We are given a family on this earth in order to enter into the spiritual family of God forever in heaven. To love God and live according to His will is to know the Word of God and put it into practice.

What is the Word of God I heard today, and how did I practice it in my life?

Fr Putti Anthaiah sdb