Read it and Weep

A Reflection on the First Reading for January 27th, 2019:
​Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Nehemiah 8

2 And Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month. 3 And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. 4 And Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden pulpit which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithi'ah, Shema, Anai'ah, Uri'ah, Hilki'ah, and Ma-asei'ah on his right hand; and Pedai'ah, Mish'a-el, Malchi'jah, Hashum, Hash-bad'danah, Zechari'ah, and Meshul'lam on his left hand. 5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people; and when he opened it all the people stood. 6 And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God; and all the people answered, "Amen, Amen," lifting up their hands; and they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. 8 And they read from the book, from the law of God, clearly; and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading. 9 And Nehemi'ah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep." For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. 10 Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

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I must admit that I had difficulty writing this reflection. There were a lot of thoughts that entered my head and I could not decide which one to write about. My question was, “Lord what are you trying to tell me? What do you want me to write about?”

The Israelites had just returned from their captivity in Babylon. They had lost everything and what remained was their group, their community. They must have also realized that they were not exactly acting as the chosen people of God should, as the Jews would see their captivity as a punishment for their idolatry and sins. That day, the Law of Moses was read to them with interpretation as the Levites made sure that the people understood the reading.

The Law of God (through Moses) was read to them and they wept. They probably wept because they were so touched by the realization of God’s love for them—a message they had not heard during their time of captivity. This reading was Home; this reading would unify them and reminded them that they had a covenant with God—for they were the chosen ones.

This made me realize that my relationship with God is always rekindled when I read His Word and appreciate what He is trying to tell me. When I study and meditate on the passages, I feel closer to Him. I hear Him talking to me through the words of the reading. When this happens I feel that all is right with the world as my questions are answered, or my fears are allayed and my anxieties, pacified. Just as the Israelites were assured of God’s love for them, so do I feel such love from my God.

"When I study and meditate on the passages, I feel closer to Him.
​I hear Him talking to me through the words of the reading."

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As we know more about God’s word, we get a sense of God’s will for us—this is true. We become familiar with how God answers our prayers.  Every time God answers my prayers I am happy for two reasons: first that my prayer was answered and secondly that I asked something which must be in accordance with His will. I feel His joy in me in granting my wishes. The month is not yet over but a lot of my prayers have already been answered. I feel confident, I feel assured of His love, and I am strengthened by the realization that His joy is in me just as the Israelites felt as they came to realize that their God still loves and cares for them —in spite of their shortcomings.

Liz Venezuela

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