Reading 1
Ez 6:7-8, 12b, 14-20
King Darius issued an order to the officials
of West-of-Euphrates:
"Let the governor and the elders of the Jews
continue the work on that house of God;
they are to rebuild it on its former site.
I also issue this decree
concerning your dealing with these elders of the Jews
in the rebuilding of that house of God:
From the royal revenue, the taxes of West-of-Euphrates,
let these men be repaid for their expenses, in full and without delay.
I, Darius, have issued this decree;
let it be carefully executed."
The elders of the Jews continued to make progress in the building,
supported by the message of the prophets,
Haggai and Zechariah, son of Iddo.
They finished the building according to the command
of the God of Israel
and the decrees of Cyrus and Darius
and of Artaxerxes, king of Persia.
They completed this house on the third day of the month Adar,
in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius.
The children of Israel'priests, Levites,
and the other returned exiles?
celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy.
For the dedication of this house of God,
they offered one hundred bulls,
two hundred rams, and four hundred lambs,
together with twelve he-goats as a sin-offering for all Israel,
in keeping with the number of the tribes of Israel.
Finally, they set up the priests in their classes
and the Levites in their divisions
for the service of God in Jerusalem,
as is prescribed in the book of Moses.
The exiles kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.
The Levites, every one of whom had purified himself for the occasion,
sacrificed the Passover for the rest of the exiles,
for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5
R. (1) Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
"We will go up to the house of the LORD."
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Gospel
Lk 8:19-21
The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him
but were unable to join him because of the crowd.
He was told, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside
and they wish to see you."
He said to them in reply, "My mother and my brothers
are those who hear the word of God and act on it."
Meditation: Luke 8:19-21
Your mother and your brothers are standing outside.” (Luke 8:20)
What do you think the reaction of this crowd was to Jesus? Some had traveled miles to see him, and they were straining to hear his every word. Then they heard that Jesus’ mother and his relatives were outside. Surely, they thought, he was going to leave the crowd to visit with them. But Jesus did something unexpected. He looked out at the crowd and said, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it” (Luke 8:21). Did they understand what he was getting at?
It’s likely that many didn’t understand Jesus right away. But they must have known that he was serious. He wasn’t just trying to make friends with them. He was trying to teach them a concept that would revolutionize their understanding of God. They knew that God was good and that he would stand by them if they followed his commands. But the idea that he could be as close to them as a brother, sister, or mother was quite new. It might even have scared them a little!
The fact is, the kind of relationship Jesus wants to have with us is closer than anyone in that crowd could have imagined. For a few hours, they had the privilege of beholding Jesus in the flesh. But because he died, rose, and sent us his Holy Spirit, we can have Jesus with us all the time! What he promised to his disciples, he promises to us: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him” (John 14:23).
With that kind of promise, we have every reason to be encouraged. It is an awesome gift, to be able to share in God’s divine life! So why not renew your commitment to follow Jesus today with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? If there’s anything standing in the way of your relationship with him, he will show you—and give you the power to overcome it!
“Jesus, help me to know you better than before. Let no stumbling block come between me and your will for my life. Lord, let my desires become your desires!”
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