Light of Love

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to let our light shine to welcome people in our environment with care and concern for their well being.

Letting Light Shine

The Reading from the Book of Ezra declares The Decree of Cyrus.

* [1:1] In the first year of Cyrus: the first regnal year of Cyrus was 539 B.C., but his first year as ruler of Babylon, after the conquest of that city, was 538 B.C., the year in which he issued an edict, replicated on the famous Cyrus cylinder, permitting the repatriation of peoples deported by the Babylonians.

* [1:2] The God of heaven: this title, used as in 7:12, 21, 23, corresponds to a title of the Zoroastrian supreme deity Ahura Mazda, though it is not certain that Cyrus was a Zoroastrian.

* [1:5] Heads of ancestral houses: the ancestral house was the basic organizational unit of the postexilic community, consisting of an extended kinship group claiming descent from a common ancestor. The patriarchs of these units played an important role in civic government. (Ezra, CHAPTER 1, n.d.)

Psalm 126 rejoices that the people are returned to Zion.

* [Psalm 126] A lament probably sung shortly after Israel’s return from exile. The people rejoice that they are in Zion (Ps 126:1–3) but mere presence in the holy city is not enough; they must pray for the prosperity and the fertility of the land (Ps 126:4). The last verses are probably an oracle of promise: the painful work of sowing will be crowned with life (Ps 126:5–6). (Psalms, PSALM 126, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke proclaims The Parable of the Lamp.

* [8:16–18] These sayings continue the theme of responding to the word of God. Those who hear the word must become a light to others (Lk 8:16); even the mysteries of the kingdom that have been made known to the disciples (Lk 8:9–10) must come to light (Lk 8:17); a generous and persevering response to the word of God leads to a still more perfect response to the word. (Luke, CHAPTER 8, n.d.)

Mike Cherney comments that history shows that Cyrus, in his role as emperor, allowed the conquered peoples to continue practicing their religions. He seems to have been a pioneer of religious tolerance. His actions remind me that God can work through all people, regardless of their beliefs, to fulfill divine purposes.

I often confuse being “chosen” with being “entitled.” Today’s readings remind me that being chosen by God is not a privilege one has earned, but a gift that one is called to share. My prayer today focuses on grace.

 

Dear Lord,

Open my ears and my heart to Your grace.

Help me to remember that it is unearned, and unmerited.

Grant me the humility to both accept it and share it.

Allow the Holy Spirit to guide me as I discern my response. (Cherney, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The Word of God is like a lamp to guide us,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).

"Scripture does not say this about a tangible lamp but about a comprehensible one. One does not 'light' the lamp and conceal it 'with a vessel' or put it 'under a bed, but on the lamp stand' within himself. The vessels of the house are the powers of the soul. The bed is the body. 'Those who go in' are those who hear the teacher... He calls the holy church a 'lamp stand.' By its proclamation, the Word of God gives light to all who are in this world and illuminates those in the house with the rays of the truth, filling the minds of all with divine knowledge. (excerpt from FRAGMENTS ON LUKE 120, 122) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Ezra notes that Cyrus sent exiled populations back to their homelands. This highlights different policies by the Persian Empire requiring only troops and tribute. A significant Jewish population remained in Babylon to modern times. The Gospel of Luke observes no lamps under vessels but our light gives witness to our faith by extending good will to all. Friar Jude reminds us that faith is built by God but rejecting faith causes it to be lost.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, remembers Congressman John Lewis (1940–2020) who describes his Christian faith as the foundation of his commitment to nonviolence.

I believe in the philosophy and discipline of nonviolence. I accepted it not simply as a technique or as a tactic, but as a way of life, a way of living. We have to arrive at the point, as believers in the Christian faith, that in every human being there is a spark of divinity. Every human personality is something sacred, something special. We don’t have a right, as another person or as a nation, to destroy that spark of divinity, that spark of humanity, that is made and created in the image of God.  

I saw Sheriff Clark in Selma, or Bull Connor in Birmingham, or George Wallace, the governor of Alabama, as victims of the system. We were not out to destroy these men. We were out to destroy a vicious and evil system. [1] (Rohr, n.d.)

We examine our actions and motives in relation to seeking full life for all the people in our lives and invoke the light of the Spirit to illuminate the path to greater love and inclusion.

References

Cherney, M. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved September 22, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-september-22-2025 

Ezra, CHAPTER 1. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 22, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ezra/1?1 

Luke, CHAPTER 8. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 22, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/8?16 

Psalms, PSALM 126. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 22, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/126?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 22, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/can-we-love-all/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Every Secret Shall Come to Light. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 22, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=sep22 

Insecurity and Christian Action

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary, today, challenge us to be involved in action inspired by our faith tradition to eliminate insecurity in food, housing, and health care using our gifts of cleverness and the Love of Christ.

Action against Food Insecurity

The Reading from the Book of Amos condemns cheating the poor in our commerce.

* [8:5] Ephah: see note on Is 5:10. (Amos, CHAPTER 8, n.d.)

Psalm 113 exhorts the congregation to praise God’s name.

* [Psalm 113] A hymn exhorting the congregation to praise God’s name, i.e., the way in which God is present in the world; the name is mentioned three times in Ps 113:1–3. The divine name is especially honored in the Temple (Ps 113:1) but its recognition is not limited by time (Ps 113:2) and space (Ps 113:3), for God is everywhere active (Ps 113:4–5) especially in rescuing the lowly faithful (Ps 113:7–9). (Psalms, PSALM 113, n.d.)

The Reading from the First Letter to Timothy insists that the liturgical prayer of the community concerns itself with the needs of all.

* [2:1–7] This marked insistence that the liturgical prayer of the community concern itself with the needs of all, whether Christian or not, and especially of those in authority, may imply that a disposition existed at Ephesus to refuse prayer for pagans. In actuality, such prayer aids the community to achieve peaceful relationships with non-Christians (1 Tm 2:2) and contributes to salvation, since it derives its value from the presence within the community of Christ, who is the one and only savior of all (1 Tm 2:3–6). The vital apostolic mission to the Gentiles (1 Tm 2:7) reflects Christ’s purpose of universal salvation. 1 Tm 2:5 contains what may well have been a very primitive creed. Some interpreters have called it a Christian version of the Jewish shema: “Hear, O Israel, the LORD is our God, the LORD alone…” (Dt 6:4–5). The assertion in 1 Tm 2:7, “I am speaking the truth, I am not lying,” reminds one of similar affirmations in Rom 9:1; 2 Cor 11:31; and Gal 1:20.

* [2:6] The testimony: to make sense of this overly concise phrase, many manuscripts supply “to which” (or “to whom”); two others add “was given.” The translation has supplied “this was.” (Amos, CHAPTER 8, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke presents The Parable of the Dishonest Steward .

* [16:1–8a] The parable of the dishonest steward has to be understood in the light of the Palestinian custom of agents acting on behalf of their masters and the usurious practices common to such agents. The dishonesty of the steward consisted in the squandering of his master’s property (Lk 16:1) and not in any subsequent graft. The master commends the dishonest steward who has forgone his own usurious commission on the business transaction by having the debtors write new notes that reflected only the real amount owed the master (i.e., minus the steward’s profit). The dishonest steward acts in this way in order to ingratiate himself with the debtors because he knows he is being dismissed from his position (Lk 16:3). The parable, then, teaches the prudent use of one’s material goods in light of an imminent crisis.

* [16:6] One hundred measures: literally, “one hundred baths.” A bath is a Hebrew unit of liquid measurement equivalent to eight or nine gallons.

* [16:7] One hundred kors: a kor is a Hebrew unit of dry measure for grain or wheat equivalent to ten or twelve bushels.

* [16:8b–13] Several originally independent sayings of Jesus are gathered here by Luke to form the concluding application of the parable of the dishonest steward.

* [16:8b–9] The first conclusion recommends the prudent use of one’s wealth (in the light of the coming of the end of the age) after the manner of the children of this world, represented in the parable by the dishonest steward.

* [16:9] Dishonest wealth: literally, “mammon of iniquity.” Mammon is the Greek transliteration of a Hebrew or Aramaic word that is usually explained as meaning “that in which one trusts.” The characterization of this wealth as dishonest expresses a tendency of wealth to lead one to dishonesty. Eternal dwellings: or, “eternal tents,” i.e., heaven.

* [16:10–12] The second conclusion recommends constant fidelity to those in positions of responsibility.

* [16:13] The third conclusion is a general statement about the incompatibility of serving God and being a slave to riches. To be dependent upon wealth is opposed to the teachings of Jesus who counseled complete dependence on the Father as one of the characteristics of the Christian disciple (Lk 12:22–39). God and mammon: see note on Lk 16:9. Mammon is used here as if it were itself a god. (Luke, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB, n.d.)

Rev. Larry Gillick, SJ, comments that money, when it is not our master, can do great and wonderful things. The “children of light” are those who try to live toward the good, the Light. As children of the light we are invited to be prudent about what is important ultimately to us as those who are of “this generation”, who like the unworthy servant, are prudent for what they think is the “long term”.

This is not an easy parable, but it does fit into Luke’s basic theme of living wisely with the gifts the Giver or Lord has given us. “Wisely” for Luke has to do more with our distribution of wealth than its accumulation. The steward was unwise in his use of the master’s wealth. He was wise, according to Jesus, by making friends with the master’s other servants by reducing their debts. A good question might be asked here. Did the steward cheat his master by this reduction, or did he reduce their debt by the exact amount his master was owing him? Whatever was going on, Jesus reflecting on the story reminds His followers to try to make life-long friends with wealth, because when they do, they will find out how short-lived that friendship really is. (Gillick, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Jesus recommends the foresight, prudence, and ingenuity of the steward,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"Why did the Lord Jesus Christ present this parable to us? He surely did not approve of that cheat of a servant who cheated his master, stole from him and did not make it up from his own pocket. On top of that, he also did some extra pilfering. He caused his master further loss, in order to prepare a little nest of quiet and security for himself after he lost his job. Why did the Lord set this before us? It is not because that servant cheated but because he exercised foresight for the future. When even a cheat is praised for his ingenuity, Christians who make no such provision blush. I mean, this is what he added, 'Behold, the children of this age are more prudent than the children of light.' They perpetrate frauds in order to secure their future. In what life, after all, did that steward insure himself like that? What one was he going to quit when he bowed to his master's decision? He was insuring himself for a life that was going to end. Would you not insure yourself for eternal life?" (excerpt from 359A.10.) (Gillick, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that Amos condemns a liturgy that is superficial; they resent the Sabbath and he strongly attacks social injustice and cheating practices “add to the shekel” to increase its weight with a lead plug. For buying the lowly and the poor they will be punished. First Timothy tells us to pray for everyone. God is One and we should be one as a people. We will show our message is true. Luke tells an odd parable. A steward who has been stealing and makes a place for himself after being dismissed is recommended. He normally would be punished, but cleverness was celebrated in ancient times. Jesus urges our cleverness in spiritual things to forgive and find time to pray. Friar Jude suggests an easy solution when we seem to run out of time for prayer and reflection, Be clever in spiritual things. Serve God not possessions or “mammon”.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, reflects on the spiritual and moral futility of violence, drawing on the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and his radical call to love. Part of the genius of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929–1968), inspired by the teachings of Jesus and Gandhi, was that he was able to show thoughtful people that violence was not only immoral but actually impractical and, finally, futile. In the long run, it doesn’t achieve its stated purposes, because it only deepens bitterness on both sides and leaves them in an endless and impossible cycle of violence that cannot be stopped by itself. Instead, some neutralizing force must be inserted from outside to stop the cycle and point us in a new direction. Palestinian Christian theologian Munther Isaac challenges us to confront the deep disconnect between the nonviolent teaching of Jesus and the ways Christianity has often aligned with systems of power and violence, even today: (Rohr, n.d.)

Christianity and violence should not go hand in hand, at least theoretically. The teachings of Jesus are very clear. The teachings of Paul and the apostles are very clear. There is no place for violence for the followers of Jesus. Yet an honest assessment of even the last 150 years will clearly reveal that many who claimed to be Christians committed some of the worst atrocities in our world: the Belgians in Congo, the Germans in Namibia, the French in Algeria, the Bosnian Serbs in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, the Guatemalan genocide against the Laya indigenous people, and of course the Holocaust against the Jewish people in Europe.  

The Bible and theology have played a significant role in this war of genocide in Gaza.… To be clear, I fully believe that when Scripture is used to justify genocide or promote ideologies of supremacy, this use has nothing to do with the teachings of Jesus nor the essence of the Christian faith. Yet, shamefully, the church has aligned itself with the empire throughout the centuries. It has chosen the path of power and influence. One would expect Christians to have learned the lesson. We have not. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the inspiration of the Spirit as we contemplate how to live with the compassion of Amos and Jesus and use our gift of cleverness about the ways of the world to be agents of transformation in our environment.

References

Amos, CHAPTER 8. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 21, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/amos/8?4 

Gillick, L. (n.d.). Daily Bible Reflections. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved September 21, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-september-21-2025 

Luke, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 21, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/16?1 

1 Timothy, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 21, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1timothy/2?1 

Psalms, PSALM 113. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 21, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/113?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Love as the Source of Nonviolence. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 21, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/love-as-the-source-of-nonviolence/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Who Will Entrust to You the True Riches? Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 21, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=sep21