The Scripture readings during the Liturgy of the Word are always the Gospel of the day, preceded by a reading from either the Old or New Testaments—except on Sundays and Holy Days, when both the Old and New Testaments are used in addition to the Gospel. Following the first reading, there is always a ‘Responsorial Psalm’ taken from the book of Psalms. All the readings usually relate to one another in their tone, or the message that is being presented that day.
Today, we read from the Book of Nehemiah (Neh 8:1-4a, 5-6, 7b-12). A little bit of backstory may be needed here. The Israelites have just been freed from their exile in Babylon and a great new temple has been built. God instructs His prophet Ezra to gather the people and to read the Law of Moses. As he is reading, those learners and listeners seem to feel overwhelmed by what is proclaimed and prescribed to them by Ezra from the scroll. “For all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law.” (v.9) They were probably feeling shame because they heard about how God had delivered their ancestors from Egypt and quickly seemed to forget what He had done for them, and at the same time they (we) are reminded that God still loves them and will keep His promise to Abraham and Jacob.
In response to their tears and heavy hearts, Ezra reminds them that they are missing the good news; that God is still with them and guiding them to the Kingdom of Heaven. Ezra instructs the people to go and share a meal together while also sharing with those who had little. It was through the breaking of bread that joy re-entered their hearts. Jesus draws from the same playbook in Luke’s Gospel (Lk 10:1-12) when he sends out the 72 “other disciples” ahead of him. He tells them to take little for the journey other than their trust in the hospitality of others to sustain them and the offering of their peace in return. Presumably, it is at the meal table where this exchange will take place.
When I heard these two readings this morning, I couldn’t help but think how much it reminds me of the Mass. People are gathered, they become penitent, they listen to the Word of God, they share a meal, then they are sent out to proclaim the Good News to others.
I heard a story once told of St. Teresa of Calcutta. She and a few of her Sisters were visiting the United States and staying at a parish in the Southwest. The pastor had agreed to say a “private” Mass for St. Teresa and her Sisters very early in the morning. Word traveled fast of the presence of these holy women and so before Mass began there were already crowds of people being held back by police and barricades outside the chapel. The quiet Mass started and clearly Mother Teresa was agitated. As the first reading was proclaimed, she was shuffling about in the chapel, whispering to her Sisters to get closer and move forward until their noses were practically touching the altar. The same went during the Responsorial Psalm. Then, just before the Gospel was proclaimed, Mother Teresa threw open the chapel door and proclaimed, “Everyone, come inside!” Well, the police were the first to accept her invitation followed immediately by the crowds. Then, and only then, was St. Teresa able to find a corner, sink to her knees, and drop into prayer. She could not rest knowing that people were being held from the table of God’s abundant love.
May we all find ourselves as both hosts and guests at tables of fellowship where we can feast upon the joy and peace for which we all so deeply hunger.
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