“Ezra read plainly from the book of the law of God, interpreting it so that all could understand what was read” (Nehemiah 8:8). of Thursday October 5, 2023

After the people of Israel spent about 70 years of exile in Babylon, the law never sounded so good! Dedicating the new temple in Jerusalem, Ezra and Nehemiah refounded the faith. “…all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law” (verse 9). The first celebration of Passover since the people of Israel had been ripped from their homeland capped the festivities.

It is no wonder, then, that Jesus, when he refounded the faith, assured us that he came not to destroy but to fulfill the law. Today is just an ordinary day in Ordinary Time, but can we pray for the same tears, touched to the heart by the Word of God?