In 587 B.C., God allowed his chosen people to be taken into exile in Babylon. They had been spiritually far from him for some time. In exile they learn their lesson and, when their hearts were finally ready to return to God, he also allowed them to return to Jerusalem. In 538 B.C. the Israelites arrive back in Jerusalem to find the temple in ruins. They immediately seek to rebuild, not just the temple, but also their relationship with God.
This is where our first reading picks up. Ezra and Nehemiah begin by reestablishing God’s law. As they read from the sacred scripture, the people actually begin to weep and then fall on their faces. They are so grateful to have the scripture again and also recognize how they have disobeyed God’s law.
What is your response to the gift of the Bible? Maybe you’re not exactly close to God these days and haven’t touched the Bible in years. Maybe reading or studying the Bible has never really been part of your life. Today’s homily gives some practical tips to get you started on understanding and beginning to study the Bible. No matter where’re you’re at with God right now, you’ll find something in his Word that speaks to you. Who knows, you might even cry.