Limitless Mercy
Oct 5: Thursday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Today is the feast of St. Faustina, but I went with the Ordinary Time readings because the Gospel reading for her memorial is the same as St. Francis of Assisi’s, which we read yesterday.
But just because I can’t think of another commentary on the same reading, don’t let that imply St. Faustina is any less impressive. After all, it is through her that Jesus gave us the Divine Mercy Chaplet.
Amelia and I are usually on the 405 halfway between Santa Monica and Northridge at three o’clock, so we’ve taken to saying the chaplet together, with the help of the Hallow app.1
Jesus reminded St. Faustina that God’s mercy is limitless. It’s a lesson we have to keep re-learning, even in today’s first reading, from before Jesus’ birth.
Reading 1
Neh 8:1-4a, 5-6, 7b-12
The whole people gathered as one in the open space before the Water Gate, and they called upon Ezra the scribe to bring forth the book of the law of Moses which the LORD prescribed for Israel. On the first day of the seventh month, therefore, 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 until 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. As the people remained in their places, 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!"
And the Levites quieted all the people, saying, "Hush, for today is holy, and you must not be saddened." Then all the people went to eat and drink, to distribute portions, and to celebrate with great joy, for they understood the words that had been expounded to them.
Ezra and Nehemiah used to be one book, but got separated into two when they were translated to Greek,2 because Greek has, you know, vowels, and the extra letters made the whole Ezra-Nehemiah book too long for a single scroll. Some chapters got shuffled around in the translating, and now most scholars think the 8th chapter of Nehemiah actually belongs in Ezra. You might notice this entire passage is about Ezra, the title character of the previous book, and not the current one.3
Anyway, tradition tells us they were both written by Ezra during the Restoration. What’s happening here is Ezra is re-acquainting the Israelites with God’s law, after they’ve returned from exile in Babylon. The people wept because they were just now realizing that they hadn’t been worshiping God according to the covenant all of these generations away from the promised land.
Sure, some of that wasn’t there fault; the first temple had been destroyed. But some of it was, due to their ignorance and neglect. Their repentance is totally understandable.
Ezra’s response is remarkable. He doesn’t chastise them or encourage them to weep and gnash their teeth. Just the opposite! He reminds them of God’s mercy. He tells them today is a holy day, the day they get to reminded of God’s covenant. They should be glad for the reminder. They’re back in line with God, as they should be.
Today, we have confession, and this is the way Jesus wants us to feel, too. Yeah, we messed up, but that’s all behind us, now. Celebrate and go forward.
The priest my have other thoughts, but I’m sure he’ll keep them to himself.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye;
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
They are more precious than gold,
than a heap of purest gold;
Sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
“Fear of the Lord” is one of those phrases that’s kind of a weird translation. Yes, we can be afraid of God, in the sense that we can be afraid of anything great and powerful, but that obviously does jibe with seeing God as our Father. It really translates better as something more like “awe” and “respect.”
The thing we should be afraid of is ourselves, disappointing God, the way we don’t want to disappoint our earthly parents.
We know God’s laws are right and trustworthy, and so having access to them should give us joy in our hearts. But we still mess up, which is why we need God’s mercy.
Alleluia
Mk 1:15
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Kingdom of God is at hand;
repent and believe in the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus says this right after John the Baptist is arrested, because there is an order to God’s plan. It’s only when his cousin’s part is completed that Jesus can begin his public ministry.
Gospel
Lk 10:1-12
Jesus appointed seventy-two other disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this household.' If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, 'The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.' Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, 'The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.' Yet know this: the Kingdom of God is at hand. I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town."
As discussed on Tuesday, Jesus doesn’t punish the non-believers. He wants His disciples to go out like lambs among wolves, preaching His peace and mercy. They’re not weighed down by the things of this world; they carry Jesus’ burden, which is light.
Our sins and neglect can weigh us down with guilt. But Jesus offers us limitless mercy, so that we can carry on.
I should figure out how to get sponsorship for this substack. For now, I’m promoting Hallow for free!
The Septuagint.
The side note about Nehemiah himself was probably added later, to make this fit with the rest of his book.