The Noontimes

Ezra 6:18-22: Marvels – Part II, A Reprise

Friday, November 17, 2023

A Favorite from October 27, 2009.

We have recently lived through another cycle in which a few believe that not only are they beyond any human measure, they are also beyond the need of divine marvels. We might look at these modern-day versions of corruption and believe ourselves removed. We may look at the Israelites of Ezra’s day who return to their burned out city to work for its restoration and think that we would not have erred as they did. We watch as they promise that never again will they forget the gift of Passover which they have received, and we will also watch as we read the New Testament story in yesterday’s Gospel in Luke 13:10-17 as we see the leader of the synagogue complain because Jesus cures a woman on the Sabbath. On that day the whole crowd rejoiced at the splendid deeds done by him.

We ask ourselves the following questions. How easily do we forget our pattern of looking out for self rather than the group? How often do we place ourselves beyond the norm and sometimes attribute gifts to ourselves which rightly belong to God? Why, when we read about these exiles, do we look away from the Levites who fall into the same corruption for which this tribe now repents?

Reflecting on all of this, can we see that the best safety and surety we can seek is not the amount of money or power we can amass; but rather our relationship with God? Can we acknowledge that it is God who comforts and God who is present in every minute of our lives? Our cleanliness and lack of corruption do not stem from any rituals we perform or any friends we might have; but rather, we sleep peacefully, we work willingly, we play joyfully and we love openly when we remember well the marvels the Lord has done for us. 

For more reflections on the marvels God has worked for us, explore posts in the Miracles category or on the Miracles page in this blog.   

Image from: http://philipyancey.com/jesus-and-miracles