Living "Between the Times"
I am continually fascinated by the depth of our Catholic faith and traditions. Some traditions come and go. They fade after a few years. Others last, seemingly forever. For instance, the events of our First Reading happened about 2500 years ago. Did you catch the similarity of what occurred then and what we just did a few minutes ago? Let me replay it for you and point out some similarities.
In the midst of a square, on an elevated platform, Ezra lifted the book of the Word of God and he opened it with great reverence and solemnity. He did this in the sight of all the people. The people stood showing honor. Before beginning the reading, Ezra offered words of blessing with all the people responding with a great acclamation; similar to our Alleluia! Alleluia! What we just did here mirrors closely what they did over 2500 years ago! I find the similarities amazing and humbling!
I also find them comforting. Historical roots give me some level of assurance that the faith we practice is built on traditions inspired by and blessed by God. These solid historical roots allow me to have more trust and confidence in what I hear and in what I experience in the practice of my faith. Do they do that for you? We are so blessed to have these connections to ancient tradition; to the practices of our forefathers in faith!
And, as those people celebrated their day with Ezra, today we celebrate our day of joy; our day, where we are reminded of the Lord’s grace in our lives and where we receive strength from His word.
Israel of Ezra’s day was returning from Babylonian exile. Their former homeland had been decimated in their absence; they experienced hardship, poverty, and discouragement in the early years of resettlement of their homeland. Their morale sunk! Disappointment led to disillusionment. There was a real danger that if the community could not pull itself together and find direction, it would disintegrate altogether.
Onto the scene comes Ezra. The spiritual reform of Israel was his task. For this purpose, he brings the word of Yahweh. With one accord they now come to a large square; men, women, and children, as many as “could hear with understanding.”
Now remember, the history of these people included God’s deliverance with great “signs and wonders” never before seen. God brought them safely into the Promised Land where he had defeated all their enemies. God’s presence, his power, and his glory were clearly seen by all!
These people in the square standing before Ezra, however, were living “between the times.” On the one hand, they looked back to the exodus for evidence and confirmation that they were indeed the people chosen by God. On the other hand, they looked forward to Yahweh’s return when he would bring his kingdom of peace to all nations. In between these comings, we find Israel on that day without “glory,” without much prosperity. Their lives were ordinary, mundane, even routine. There was no pillar of fire. No manna from heaven. No Sinai with the thundering voice of God. These were average people struggling to live day-by-day.
From that perspective, this text certainly speaks to us today. We too live “between the times.” We too look back to our own exodus in the redemption of Jesus Christ. There, God was present in all his power and glory. There, he rescued us from our slavery to death and sin. Now we are His chosen people, His special treasure.
But now, we also live “between the times.” There is no pillar of fire. No Moses. No resurrection. Miracles are few and far between. We also are ordinary people struggling to live day-by-day.
But, we too have God’s word to sustain us. The Word of God does for us what it did for ancient Israel. It gives us hope! It gives us life! And, like the community present before Ezra, we gather around the word on our “day of Sabbath rest,” our Sunday.
Let me touch on another similarity between what we do today and what God’s people did years and years ago. In the synagogue service referenced in tonight’s Gospel reading, a portion of the Hebrew Bible was read and then an “explanation” was given. Likewise, in our Old Testament reading, Ezra read sections of the Law and then the Levites circulated among the people explaining what Ezra had read. These explanations are likely what gave rise to our present day practice of preaching after the reading of Scripture.
Scripture, by itself, is not enough. It needs interpretation and explanation. It also requires working through its relevance to our present day circumstances. Ezra had a reputation for taking ancient text and revealing its present day relevance; thereby, allowing the people to grasp its application to their daily lives. The Levites, also, mingled with the people and helped them see how the Law was food for them on that day. This is the same task before every preacher today.
The Word of God has the power to transform lives today just as it had in the time of Ezra. The living power of the Word of God still liberates people from their own various forms of captivity. I find it a privilege, an honor, and a great responsibility to be part of this great dynamic exchange between God and his people.
The people of Israel gave great honor to the Word of God, so do we. They broke open the Word of God through preaching, so do we. They were greatly affected by the Word of God, bringing them to tears, sometimes so are we? The reality of what they heard brought them to their knees, does it us? They were remorseful over their past disobedience, are we?
Our Second Reading gives us one of the most brilliant and memorable images in the Bible, the Church as the Body of Christ, a body in which the members, though many, are indeed one. We are one with our ancient ancestors who today enjoy the presence of God, we are one with all those who have gone before us and who are still awaiting entrance into the heavenly kingdom, and we are one with all those still struggling here with us in this life. This depth, both vertical through time and horizontal across nations and cultures, gives us confidence that we possess a treasure of great wisdom and great strength upon which we can rely. It gives us trust in our traditions and practices.
Much is revealed to us in the Word of God as written in our bibles, as practiced within the traditions of our Church, and as uncovered in our own hearts through meditation and prayer. Let us appreciate and value the Word of God and come to it, in trust, for strength and guidance. Let us see its relevance to our daily lives. These are not just “words” and this is not just “a story”. These are the “living words of God” and they relate to the “presently unfolding story of our own personal lives.” Let each of us pay close attention and listen to our God speak to us about our lives, today.