In today’s first reading from Nehemiah, we have a solemn reading of the Word of God. It is the first day of the seventh month which is perhaps the day of the solemn renewal of the covenant. Ezra, the scribe, solemnly processes in front of the assembly. He opens the Torah Scroll, the Book of the Law of Moses. As he unrolls the scroll he blesses or praises the “Lord, the great God.” All the people raise their hands high and proclaim “Amen, Amen” and then bow as they are giving praise to God.
The people are told this is a day of joy and feasting as they hear the word of God. They are sent forth to celebrate God’s Word to them as God renews his covenant with them. “Then all the people went to eat and drink, to distribute portions, and to celebrate with great joy, for they understood the words that had been expounded to them.”
Today’s reading from Nehemiah is very similar to the synagogue service in the first century. The New Testament describes both Paul and Jesus preaching during the Jewish Sabbath service.
“On the sabbath Paul and Barnabas entered into the synagogue and took their seats. After the reading of the law and the prophets, the synagogue officials sent word to them, ‘My brothers, if one of you has a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.’” (Acts 13:14-15).
“He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me’…He said to them, ‘Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.’” (Luke 4:16-18, 21).
Like the reading from Jeremiah and like the Jewish Sabbath services, we also hear the Word of God solemnly proclaimed at the Eucharist. We show reverence for the Gospel by standing as the Gospel book is solemnly carried to the pulpit.
The Word of God and the Eucharist call us to be joyful and generous, imitating the Jews in today’s first reading: “Then all the people went to eat and drink, to distribute portions, and to celebrate with great joy, for they understood the words that had been expounded to them.”
Image: “Torah” by Lawrie Cate is licensed under CC BY 2.0.