The Day of the Lord

Today's readings (for the Weekday cycle, not for St. Francis) play off one another exceptionally well. The first reading describes the dedication of the rebuilt, post-exile Temple. The ceremony included the reading of "The Book of the Law" (Deuteronomy), and the people were so moved by the particular love God had for them that they cried and cried. The Levites went around telling them, "Don't cry! This day is holy to the Lord!" In a way, that is the message Jesus sent his 72 disciples out to proclaim: "The Kingdom of God is in your midst!" It should make a difference that God has reached out to us in such a way. And the Responsorial Psalm explains how: "The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart."