Release from Bondage

As we encounter the Word of God today, we read from the Book of Ezra. The twin books of Ezra and Nehemiah pick up the story of the Israelites after the Babylonian Captivity. They were released from their captivity by Cyrus, King of Persia who had defeated the Assyrians in battle. 

The period of Jewish history which is chronicled in the Books of Ezra and Nehemia is known as the "Restoration." It was the fond hope of the people of Israel that they would be able to put their lives together by restoring the Temple and its liturgy, by renewing their commitment to the Sinai Covenant, and by once again occupying Canaan. However, this was not ultimately God's plan. 

The first reading from the Sunday which we just observed is also reflecting on the post-exilic period. Isaiah tells the exiles: Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near. (Isaiah 55:6) These words were specifically addressed to the portion of the Israelite population that did not choose to return to Israel but chose instead to stay in Assyria where they had grown accustomed to a very comfortable lifestyle.  Rather than return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple and their homeland, they chose rather to stay put.  They did not relish a journey through the desert which would ultimately lead to a great deal of hard work.  Consequently, Israel never did return to its former glory after the Exile.   

For the next two weeks, we will hear the voices of many of the post-exilic prophets, the prophets who were active during the period of restoration.  It is their contention that refusing to return to Israel and to rebuild the Temple was a sign that many had not learned the lesson of the Babylonian.  In choosing to remain distant from Israel, they were choosing to remain distant from the God of Israel who was showing them mercy by releasing them from captivity. 

Through Jesus, God has released us from our captivity.  No longer are we enslaved by sin and death.  Christ’s victory over these evil twins challenges us to rebuild, to renovate, and to restore our lives of discipleship and service to God.  Jesus is our leader and shares His hard won new life with us in the Eucharist we celebrate.

Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator