The Third Sunday of Epiphany Year C

The Third Sunday of Epiphany

Nehemiah 8.1–3, 5–6, 8–10
1 Corinthians 12.12–31a
Luke 4.14–21

The book of Nehemiah is an exciting and inspiring story. It is written in the first person, and its narrative is vivid and action-packed. Nehemiah, one of the many Jews carried away into exile, is working as a cupbearer for King Artaxerxes when he is overcome by such a strong sense of shame at the plight of his people that he cannot forget it. He is ashamed partly because he knows that his people have deserved their punishment, and he includes himself among those who have sinned against God and forgotten the law of Moses. But he is also partly ashamed on God’s behalf, because the plight of the people of Israel seems to call into question God’s faithfulness to his promise. (You can see all of this in Nehemiah 1.)...