Good morning, Good People,
It is 22nd September 2025.
May the Lord give you peace, health, and happiness.
Is our faith nurturing others or torturing them?
Today we reflect on Ezra 1:1–6 and the Gospel of Luke 8:16–18.
When we think it is all over, that is often when God begins anew from the dust. Each of us longs for certain things to happen in our lifetime. Yet, because of a lack of faith and hope, we sometimes lose our grip on the love of life and of living.
God surprises us again and again. We simply need a heart full of love to perceive what God is planning to do. The unexpected and the unimaginable often unfold before our eyes. It is not over yet; nothing is ever truly finished. Our love and faith in God might waver for many reasons, but God’s remembrance of us and His reassurance surpass all human limitations.
This is what happened to the people of Israel when they were humiliated and dehumanized as slaves in a foreign land. Rulers may rise and fall in human history, but God directs the flow of time. Coming home becomes an experience of hope, love, and joy. God never compromises His plan for each one of us. It is all a question of time.
That is why the Gospel encourages us to examine our mindset:
“Pay attention to how you listen.” (Luke 8:18)
What we listen to shapes our beliefs and our behaviour. This is especially true of the Word of God. If we truly hear God’s Word, then we must become light for others:
“Your word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
What we hear must become life in us; otherwise, all that we have listened to will be forgotten in the noise and lures of the world. Eventually, we lose the very Word that was meant to save and guide us. As believers, we are called to rise and shine. May our lives inspire others and light up hope in their hearts:
“The Word was the source of life, and this life brought light to people.” (John 1:4)
Today, let us pray especially for those who have been forced into exile or denied the freedom to worship, live family life, and nurture relationships. May the Lord help us to hope in Him no matter what situations we face today. The best is yet to come through the power and blessing of God. God bless you.