![]() We should see and hear ourselves in the searching, fickleness, and rebellion of the Israelites, in the joy and sadness of the Psalmist, and in the virtues and vices of the early Church. ![]() They describe the human condition, the ongoing struggle we experience between God's goodness and our weakness. The readings aren't just an interesting historical narrative or ancient philosophy. ![]() When we hear the Word of God at Mass, we shouldn't do so as detached, aloof listeners. We should find ourselves in Ezra's assembly. Whatever the case, it is an invested response, one that indicates a deep union between the Word and the assembly. Perhaps it's because they hear of God's goodness and of his warnings against the rebellion that led them into exile. "All the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law." Perhaps they weep because they hear what they had longed to hear, and in their own land no less. They find themselves "in" the Word and know themselves through it. So, they don't listen as a disinterested party or as though the text is some interesting relic of the past. Here are the words that, had they heeded them, would have delivered them from their conquerors. Here is the account of their own history, of who they are, and of what God has done for them. Here is the Word of God that they had longed to hear proclaimed. "All the people listened attentively to the book of the law." This occurs after their return from the Babylonian exile. He reads and preaches "from daybreak till midday," which may also capture how some homilies make us feel.įrom the assembly, we learn how to listen to the Word of God at Mass. He even stands on a platform, a makeshift pulpit, built for the purpose. The people gather as an "assembly." The priest Ezra reads to them from the Law (i.e., Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy). Some see it as the beginning of the Liturgy of the Word in Judaism, and hence in Catholicism. 8:2-10) describes a primitive Liturgy of the Word. Today's readings in particular teach us how to hear the Word of God within its proper place and native habitat, which is in the Liturgy. Which, of course, emphasizes the pope's specific intention for this day - namely, increased attention and devotion to Scripture, the written Word of God. The entire Mass is about the Word, in our prayers, in our readings, and on the altar. There's also the question, "Well, what else would Sunday be about if not the Word of God?" The initiative doesn't seem to have gained much attention in the pews, probably because most Catholics haven't been in the pews for the past two years.
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