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Leadership has gone across time.
From tribal kings to kings of vast empires.
Kings were written in history.
We are designed to find someone to rule over us.
For important decisions.
But No matter who is the king…..
We have King of Kings.
God rules over kings.
First reading today mentions God inspiring different leaders to set Jews free.
Different foreign kings directed to finish construction of the house of God in Jerusalem.
We can see ….
When God has a plan…
Even kings bow down to that Great Plan of God.
Even kings bown down to the restoration of God’s people.
Do we bow down & allow God to rule over our will?
Like what He did to King Cyrus & King Darius?
We should.
Gospel today tells about Jesus mentioning those who follows God are his brothers & sisters.
For Catholics, it is not just a Church.
We belong to this big spiritual family.
In Jesus’ eyes, we are family.
It is up to us to say yes to be part of this heavenly family.
Tuesday Sept 24 2019
First Reading EZRA 6:7-8, 12, 14-20
let the work on this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on its site. Moreover I make a decree regarding what you shall do for these elders of the Jews for the rebuilding of this house of God; the cost is to be paid to these men in full and without delay from the royal revenue, the tribute of the province from Beyond the River. May the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow any king or people that shall put forth a hand to alter this, or to destroy this house of God which is in Jerusalem. I Darius make a decree; let it be done with all diligence.” And the elders of the Jews built and prospered, through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechari’ah the son of Iddo. They finished their building by command of the God of Israel and by decree of Cyrus and Darius and Ar-ta-xerx’es king of Persia; and this house was finished on the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king. And the people of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and the rest of the returned exiles, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy. They offered at the dedication of this house of God one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, and as a sin offering for all Israel twelve he-goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel. And they set the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God at Jerusalem, as it is written in the book of Moses. On the fourteenth day of the first month the returned exiles kept the passover. For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves together; all of them were clean. So they killed the passover lamb for all the returned exiles, for their fellow priests, and for themselves;
Situation in the story: Jew Exiles in Babylon to be freed from slavery & return to Judah.
A new king oversees God’s house.
For years, exiles are not sure if they will be able to come back to Jerusalem.
Now excited to come back & worship God in Judah.
What do these verses mean to me?
● New leader continued previous work of King Cyrus
● Different leaders yet similar goals: finish God’s house construction
● All foreigners but recognize God & his house
God inspires kings to fulfill His plans.
God fulfilled his promises to Judah spoken by prophets.
God is a faithful God.
King Darius, a new leader decreed:
– let work on this house of God alone
– let governor of Jews & elders of Jews rebuild this house of God on its site
I make a decree regarding what you shall do for these elders of Jews for rebuilding this house of God: the cost is to be paid to these men in full & without delay from the royal revenue, the tribute of the province from Beyond the River – King Darius
● King Darius, a foreigner fully paid God’s house construction
● Jews did not have to pay for their temple
● God can work in his mysterious ways for His house & His people
God can restore anything.
For a slave, this is freedom.
For a believer of God, this is a clear sign of restoration
Freedom+temple built = freedom to worship God in your place
May the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow any king or people that shall put forth a hand to alter this, or to destroy this house of God which is in Jerusalem. – King Darius
● Even a king recognizes God’s name dwells in Jerusalem
● King Darius says: king will be overthrown if he destroys the house of God
● King Darius respects God & his Jerusalem temple
let it be done with all diligence – King Darius
● Give our best to God
● elders of Jews built & prospered, through prophesying of Haggai the prophet & Zechari’ah the son of Iddo.
They finished building by command of:
– the God of Israel
– decree of Cyrus
– decree of Darius
– decree of Ar-ta-xerx’es king of Persia
● God’s house finished on 3rd day of Adar month, 6th year reign of King Darius
●People of Israel, priests, Levites, & the rest of returned exiles, celebrated the dedication of house of God with joy
● They offered at dedication:
– 100 bulls
– 200 rams
– 400 lambs
sin offering for all Israel: 12 he-goats, according to number of Israel tribes
● Set priests in their divisions & Levites in their courses, for service of God at Jerusalem, written in book of Moses
● On 14th day of 1st month, returned exiles kept passover
● Priests & Levites purified themselves together
● all of them were clean
● They killed passover lamb for all the returned exiles, for their fellow priests, & for themselves
Gospel LUKE 8:19-21
Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him for the crowd. And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.” But he said to them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”
What do these verses mean to me?
● Mother Mary & apostles are looking for Jesus
● These people love Jesus
● Jesus loves his mother & apostles but wants more room for new followers of God
What does it relate to Jesus?
● Jesus wants to extend his family
Who are the new members of Jesus’ family?
– People who hear the word of God
– People who follow God’s commandments
● The word of God in Jesus time is thru preaching & hearing
● there is no published written book called new testament yet in Jesus’ time
● We can not follow God until we learn to listen first
● Be a listener of God’s word first
● Jesus teaches us family is not just thru blood lines
It is not about who is your father & mother
It is about following your God the Father in heaven
Jesus point of view:
– You can modify family members
– It is our choice to be part of God’s family by following God
– Jesus looks at us as family, not just believers of God
– As family, Jesus takes care of us
– Jesus takes care of those who follow God’s commandments
What does it relate to the future?
● Follow God’s commandments
● Be part of God’s family
● Choose to be Jesus’ family
● We are all part of this big spiritual family
● We are family in Jesus’ eyes
Drink Daily: God`s Word 