LECTIO:
Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly,
which consisted of men, women,
and those children old enough to understand.
Standing at one end of the open place that was before the Water Gate,
he read out of the book from daybreak till midday,
in the presence of the men, the women,
and those children old enough to understand;
and all the people listened attentively to the book of the law.
Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform
that had been made for the occasion.
He opened the scroll
so that all the people might see it
— for he was standing higher up than any of the people —;
and, as he opened it, all the people rose.
Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God,
and all the people, their hands raised high, answered,
"Amen, amen!"
Then they bowed down and prostrated themselves before the LORD,
their faces to the ground.
Ezra read plainly from the book of the law of God,
interpreting it so that all could understand what was read.
Then Nehemiah, that is, His Excellency, and Ezra the priest-scribe
and the Levites who were instructing the people
said to all the people:
"Today is holy to the LORD your God.
Do not be sad, and do not weep"—
for all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law.
He said further: "Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks,
and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared;
for today is holy to our LORD.
Do not be saddened this day,
for rejoicing in the LORD must be your strength!"
STUDIUM:
Ezra was a priest/scribe, and Nehemiah was an official from the Persian Court, assigned to oversee the rebuilding of Jerusalem. Remember the people were exiled in Babylon for so long, not only did they forget their religion but maybe their language. That is why they weep when they Ezra reviews what happened to them. Ezra reads the Torah and they stand and prostrate themselves. It's very dramatic and moving.
MEDITATIO:
Lord, why do You bother with us? Look what we did to our Indigenous American Indian, the African slaves, and today's immigrants. These verses remind us that only God remains good. That's the only constant. You are precious. All else may be lost.
ORATIO:
I pray that I never forget you, Lord. I know You will always love us. Love is what is important.
CONTEMPLATIO:
If we love one another, God is present.
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