Finding Strength in Joy

January 24, 2016
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading: Neh 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/012416.cfm

Sometimes we don’t let the truth sink in. When we hear a powerful teaching, it is way too easy to let it slide by or to add it to the list of things that we’ve heard a thousand times before. But if we do that, we’re missing the boat. The point of the truth is to let it sink in. It is supposed to change us and reshape us from within. But the truth can only get through to our hearts if we let it, if we open ourselves, let down our guard, and let the truth grab us in the deepest parts of our soul. In a culture awash with information overload, media blitzes, commercials, spam, and “notifications” we can become numb to the importance of the central truths, the things that really matter. In fact, sometimes it feels like we’re drowning in information and all of it is shouting at us, claiming to be the most important.

Letting the Truth Sink In

While the ancient Hebrews did not live in the Information Age, they had other problems like war, famine, and they had to do without indoor plumbing and Starbucks. When they heard the truth and were properly disposed to receive it, they had the right reaction: repentance. You might be thinking, “But I thought they were frequently disobedient and got punished by God?” Yes, that’s true, but this Sunday’s first reading comes from the time period after the punishment. After the people were sent away to Babylon in exile, they finally were able to come back to the land of their fathers. Yet even then, it took a long time to rebuild the Temple and re-institute the religious practices laid down in the Pentateuch. Finally, Nehemiah organized the actual rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, so the holy city could be safe from attackers.

Ezra Reads the Law

That brings us to the scene depicted in this reading: the priest Ezra reading the law of God in the hearing of the returned Jews. This event takes places about 100 years after the end of the exile, the fall of Babylon and the initial return of the Jews to the land. Now that the Temple has been rebuilt and the walls of the city are restored, Ezra launches the people into an official renewal of the covenant. This begins with him actually reading out the law of God in the hearing of all the people. We don’t know exactly what Ezra read aloud (See my blog post about this). The time period was too short for him to read the whole Pentateuch, so perhaps he only read the Book of Deuteronomy. Not only does he read the word, but he and the other priests and Levites “helped the people to understand the law” (Neh 8:7 RSV). So the great Bible marathon comes interspersed with interpretive comments.

The Biggest Bible Study of Them All

It is worth setting the stage for this grand occasion. All of the returned Jews in Jerusalem come out for the event, men, women, and children, at least “those who could understand” (Neh 8:3). Ezra stands up on a raised, wooden platform, so everyone can hear him reading—especially important in an era without microphones—at the Water Gate, the southern edge of the Temple. Some of the elders of the people stand with him in solidarity (Neh 8:4, 7). It says that he reads from morning till midday—a four to six hour Bible reading! Now, I like Bible studies, but I can’t imagine being out in the hot sun with thousands of people, trying to pay attention from sunrise until noon. Yet the people stood through the test, listening intently to Ezra’s reading. Not only that, but they respond to the word of God with great devotion, with generous hearts. When they hear the word and receive Ezra’s blessing, “all the people answered, ‘Amen, Amen,’ lifting up their hands; and they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground” (Neh 8:6 RSV).

Tears of Repentance

The people’s profound, heartfelt response to the word of God is followed up by their repentant sorrow. They know the story of their forefathers. They know the sins, which separated God from his people. They know the theological meaning of the exile, as a divine punishment for disobedience. But these things do not bring them to despair, but rather to repentance. When they hear the words of God’s law, they weep (8:9). However, though the past sins of the people may be cause for sorrow, this is a day of restoration, where God is re-establishing his people in the land. Because of this, it is a time for joy, not sorrow. The leaders reprimand the people: “This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep” (Neh 8:9 RSV).

Finding Strength in Joy

Instead, the people are invited to throw a party, eat rich foods, and celebrate. They even provide party-food for poor people who aren’t able to prepare their own. The fundamental reason for all this celebration is simple: “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh 8:10 RSV). That’s it. The people had been suffering. Many of them were born in exile, endured hardships in Babylon, made an arduous journey to return to the land of their fathers, and now recognize the sinfulness of their ancestors, which had brought so much avoidable pain on the people. Yet now, at the time of rebuilding, restoring, renewing, it is time to celebrate. It is time to embrace the joy of what God is doing, that he has brought his people back and is setting about restoring them to a proper relationship with himself. This moment calls for celebration, not sadness, for joyful banqueting, not tears. The joy that the Lord brings by his grace is empowering. While sadness taxes our emotional reserves, the Lord’s joy restores them. It gives us the strength to go on.

image: lexan / Shutterstock.com

Avatar photo

By

Mark Giszczak (“geese-check”) was born and raised in Ann Arbor, MI. He studied philosophy and theology at Ave Maria College in Ypsilanti, MI and Sacred Scripture at the Augustine Institute of Denver, CO. He recently received his Ph. D. in Biblical Studies at the Catholic University of America. He currently teaches courses in Scripture at the Augustine Institute, where he has been on faculty since 2010. Dr. Giszczak has participated in many evangelization projects and is the author of the CatholicBibleStudent.com blog. He has written introductions to every book of the Bible that are hosted at CatholicNewsAgency.com. Dr. Giszczak, his wife and their daughter, live in Colorado where they enjoy camping and hiking in the Rocky Mountains.

Subscribe to CE
(It's free)

Go to Catholic Exchange homepage

MENU