25th Week in Ord. Time, Monday – 25th September 2023 – Ezra 1,1-6; Lk 8,16-18
God’s Plan for His Faithful
The first reading from the book of Ezra sees King Cyrus of Persia as not only the liberator of the exiles in Babylon, but also as the force behind the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. The Jews would never have expected a foreign king to be the God-sent source of freedom and rebuilding in their lives. In fulfilment of a prophecy of Jeremiah, Yahweh inspired the king Cyrus, to release the Jews from their slavery and to send them back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. They are to be assisted in the rebuilding by their former masters who are directed to contribute gold, silver and other gifts. This edict of the king reveals that God extends blessings to those who are faithful. He always carries out his plan for his people through various persons. Here He uses the king to rebuild His Temple and Kingdom. This was the message of hope for the people, as they were in exile in another country.
