In today’s first reading, we see that it is, in a sense, a prefiguring of the liturgy of the Word that we have today. What impressed me about the first reading was how the people were reverent and attentive to the Word of God. They let the Word transform them completely, acknowledging their sinfulness and repentance.
They listened attentively to the teachings, and while they may not have understood fully, the priests were on hand to teach, guide, and give instruction. Are we then reverent and attentive during the Holy Eucharist, from the beginning to the end? Do we sit there with minds and hearts open to His Word, like children sitting at His feet?
Afterall we are children of God, our Heavenly Father, so loved by Him are we not? And His love changes us, so that we not only love one another as fellow children of His, but we will go out of our way to seek His other children who are lost and bring them home. This is what it means to be a child of God, of our Heavenly Father, His child of light. Amen.
O Holy Guardian Angels pray for us…
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First reading
Nehemiah 8:1-12
All the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law
When the seventh month came, all the people gathered as one man on the square before the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses which the Lord had prescribed for Israel. Accordingly Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, consisting of men, women, and children old enough to understand. This was the first day of the seventh month. On the square before the Water Gate, in the presence of the men and women, and children old enough to understand, he read from the book from early morning till noon; all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.
Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden dais erected for the purpose. In full view of all the people – since he stood higher than all the people – Ezra opened the book; and when he opened it all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people raised their hands and answered, ‘Amen! Amen!’ Then they bowed down and, face to the ground, prostrated themselves before the Lord. And Ezra read from the Law of God, translating and giving the sense, so that the people understood what was read.
Then Nehemiah – His Excellency – and Ezra, priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people, said to all the people, ‘This day is sacred to the Lord your God. Do not be mournful, do not weep.’ For the people were all in tears as they listened to the words of the Law.
He then said, ‘Go, eat the fat, drink the sweet wine, and send a portion to the man who has nothing prepared ready. For this day is sacred to our Lord. Do not be sad: the joy of the Lord is your stronghold.’ And the Levites calmed all the people, saying, ‘Be at ease; this is a sacred day. Do not be sad.’ And all the people went off to eat and drink and give shares away and begin to enjoy themselves since they had understood the meaning of what had been proclaimed to them.
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Gospel
Matthew 18:1-5,10
Anyone who welcomes a little child in my name welcomes me
The disciples came to Jesus and said, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ So he called a little child to him and set the child in front of them. Then he said, ‘I tell you solemnly, unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. And so, the one who makes himself as little as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
‘Anyone who welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. See that you never despise any of these little ones, for I tell you that their angels in heaven are continually in the presence of my Father in heaven.’
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