This week we’re in the third Sunday of Advent in the Christian tradition, reading the story of the people’s return from exile as told in Ezra 1:1-4 and 3:1-13. We reflect on the varying roles of the exiles in this text, some of whom return to Judea to do the hard work of rebuilding the temple while others remain in Babylon to support the rebuilding financially. We think about the resonances of this rebuilding with the story of Solomon’s original construction of the first temple, recalling the former temple in all its glory but also remembering a time when Israel worshiped God in the wilderness without a permanent building at all. And we ponder the generational experience in this text, some in the older generations weeping at the sight of the new temple foundation being laid while others in the younger generation shout in jubilant praise. And through it all we hear the refrain, “God is good; God’s graciousness for Israel lasts forever.”
Episode 437 Jesus’ Entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-17)
Episode 436 The Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:31-46)
Episode 435 Celebrating 100,000 Downloads SPECIAL EPISODE (Genesis 2:4b-25)
Episode 434The Parable of the Bridesmaids (Matthew 25:1-13)
Episode 433 The Parable of the Wedding Banquet (Matthew 22:1-14)
Episode 432 The Laborers in the Vineyard (Matthew20:1-16)
Episode 431 Accountability and Forgiveness (Matthew 18:15-35)
Episode 430 SPECIAL EPISODE Who is the Greatest? (Matthew 18:1-14)
Episode 429 The Transfiguration (Matthew 16:24-17:8)
Episode 428 Parables of the Kingdom (Matthew 13:24-43)
Episode 427 Do Not Judge (Matthew 7:1-14, 24-29)
Episode 426 Do Not Worry about Tomorrow (Matthew 6:25-34)
Episode 425 REPLAY The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:7-15)
Episode 424 The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-20)
Episode 423 Temptation in the Wilderness (Matthew 4:1-17)
Episode 422 The Baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:1-17)
Episode 421 The Magi and King Herod (Matthew 2:1-23)
Episode 420 The Genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:1-17)
Episode 419 Christmas Eve Special Episode (Luke 2:1-20) REPLAY
Episode 418 Joseph’s Christmas Dream (Matthew 1:18-25)
Join Podbean Ads Marketplace and connect with engaged listeners.
Advertise Today
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Hello Heaven Podcast
Devoted To Prayer
Cast The Word
Let Me Be Frank | Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Podcast | Diocese of Bridgeport, CT
The Bible Recap
BardsFM