Know and Reflect the Word of God-REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 26TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME 5TH OCTOBER 2023

REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 26TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME 5TH OCTOBER 2023

Neh.8:1-4a.5-6. 7b-12; Ps. 19; Luke 10:1-12

Know and Reflect the Word of God

In the first reading of today, the people demanded that the Law of Moses which the Lord had given to Israel, be read to their hearing. This demand was necessitated by the strong desire to hear from the Lord. Ezra obliged the people and read the Law of Moses to them for long hours. After reading, the Levites helped the people to understand the law. The actions of Ezra and the Levites enabled the people to understand the mind of God in the Law of Moses, and this spurred them into regret for their misdeeds.

Today, we want to hear to hear from the Lord; today, some are consulting the bible in order to hear from God. But the challenge is that our minds are sometimes made up as to what we want the Lord to say, or, even when we read the bible, we focus on only those parts that promises us God’s blessings. The most appropriate disposition with which we should seek to hear from the Lord is readiness to embrace conversion. We are all in need to draw nearer to God.

Another challenge is the availability of “Ezras” and “Levites” today who will present the Word of God in its pure form to the people so that it is able to elicit awareness of misdeeds and sincere sorrow for sins. Like Ezra and the Levites, we are all called to be veritable means through which others can hear and understand the mind of God. We must speak, reflect and stand for the truth even when it hurts most.

Beloved, we are called to be witnesses of the Gospel. This means we should have a direct and personal experience with the gospel. Make out time to read and reflect on the bible every day. Have a yearly bible plan and follow it faithfully. We can never be too familiar with the Word of God. Each time we encounter it, the Lord opens us to newer and greater insights.