January 21st Reflection by Bill Lynch

Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10

All the people gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had given to Israel. Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month. He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, ‘Amen, Amen’, lifting up their hands. Then they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.

 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, ‘This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.’ For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. Then he said to them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’

Reflection
I heard it said recently that if only God was more direct, we could understand what was desired for us to do.

How do we know what God wants us to do? The people in this passage struggle with this question as well as people throughout the history of the Church struggle with this question. What are the concrete details of action we are to take as God's children?

So, we turn to the law. In the law we find ourselves guilty of not doing what God wants us to do. We find we are guilty and fear the judgment that we are due. We find ourselves guilty of sin and bow before the Lord and repent of our failure. We stand in need of forgiveness.

But God has come to us and is with us and forgives us. Forgives us so that we can continue in his will and his way, filled with the joy and strength. Through forgiveness we go out in joy to love God and to love one another. That's how we know what God wants us to do. Time after time we are presented with opportunity after opportunity to serve God and serve other's in the love of Jesus. God shows us what to do and presents the situation for the Holy Spirit to move in and through us so that we are joyful to do his will.

This is a holy day... today... go in joy and serve in love.

Prayer
Lord, as I come to hear your Word and to understand your will, forgive my sin as I repent to you. Lead me out in the freedom and the joy only you can give to love and praise you and to love and serve my neighbor... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen