26th Week in Ord. Time, Thursday – 5th October 2023 – Neh 8,1-12; Lk 10,1-12
Celebration and Remembrance
In the first reading, we have a dramatic scene where Ezra, the priest-scribe, gathers the returned exiles in Jerusalem and makes them hear the word of God devoutly. The scene is reminiscent of Moses reading the Law to the people at Mount Sinai and people listening and responding with great attention to the reading and explanation of the Scriptures.
What happens in this account has many similarities with our celebration of the Eucharist:
- We listen to the Word of God read and have it interpreted in order to understand better and apply to our present life situation.
- As all the people rose to their feet, we stand in reverence for the Word of the Gospel.
- We remember the suffering and death of our Saviour endured for our liberation.
- We celebrate in thankfulness Jesus’ resurrection and share together the bread and wine as Jesus’s body and blood.
- We express our affirmation by saying Great “Amen,” sign of thanksgiving, welcome and acceptance, at the end of the Eucharistic prayer.
- Finally, we live out the celebration of the banquet by sharing what we have with those in greater need than ourselves.
