The reading from the Book of Nehemiah describes a somewhat odd scene. Just about the entire Israelite nation had just spent a morning—apparently with their faces to the ground—listening to a recitation and interpretation of the book of God’s Law.

Hope is a beautiful thing. Stop and consider: What do you hope for these days? The end of winter? A fresh new semester? Lower heating bills? Health for an ailing family member? A better job? A raise? A change of scenery? A change of heart? Peace on earth? Freedom from fear?

Since I have investigated all the reports in close detail, starting from the story’s beginning, I decided to write it all out for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can know beyond the shadow of a doubt the reliability of what you were taught.

WHEN my daughter was born, my husband and I had a simple dream for her: We wanted her to have a sense of humor and be able to read. We figured with those two skills, she could have a very nice life. With her first game of peek-a-boo we knew her sense of humor was well under way, but the reading for Hannah, who has Down syndrome, would not come as easily.

We are baptized into Christ. Let us ask the Lord for forgiveness for when we have not kept our baptismal promises.

How do the listeners react in this week’s readings? When the Israelites heard God’s word, they wept. When the disciples first heard it in Galilee, they didn’t always understand. When the Corinthians heard it, they started arguing.

As the builders say, the larger stones do not lie well without the lesser. —Plato