Homily for Tuesday, Week 25 of Ordinary Time

Homily for Tuesday
25th Week of Ordinary Time

Ezra 6: 7-8, 12, 14-20
Luke 8: 19-21
Sept. 23, 2025
Christian Brothers, St. Joseph’s Residence, N.R.

The Temple rebuilt by Ezra
(imagined by the Church of Latter Day Saints)

In the book of Ezra, we read of the work on God’s house in Jerusalem, of the sacred ministry in that house, and of the Lord’s servants for that house.  There’s only one temple for God’s home, and only designated, hereditary ministers for his service.

Jesus alters those arrangements:  “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it” (Luke 8:21).  God’s house is wherever people open themselves to his word.  His family, all who obey that word, are now his designated ministers, and their only blood relationship is the blood of Christ.

(from Bible Art)

Everyone who receives the word of God and lives by it belongs specially to God and offers the worship he desires.  God dwells in such hearts anywhere.