1. Objective: Putting ourselves in the shoes of these leaders who were watching their people’s faith and culture deteriorate before their eyes.
Ezra & Nehemiah

2. Heavenly Father, through these words help me understand the things you wish to teach me.
Dear Jesus, through these words let me feel the love you have for me as you feel your Father’s love for you.
Holy Spirit, through these words inspire me to live as a follower of Jesus and bring your love to everyone I meet today.
Amen
Opening Prayer
Anytime we read scripture, it’s great to take time to ask the Holy Spirit, who inspired the scriptures, to open our eyes, ears, minds and hearts to hear what he wants to teach us.

3. The Return Time Frame: 538-167 BC
Books: Ezra, Nehemiah, Zechariah, Haggai, Esther, Malachi
People: Ezra, Haggai, Zechariah, Nehemiah
Covenant: One Holy Kingdom
World Power: Persia
The period of The Exile is depicted in Yellow to represent Judah returning home to brighter days.

4. Books of the Bible – Ezra
Nehemiah
Video

5. Who are Ezra & Nehemiah? The name Ezra means “help”
A priest and scribe, who teaches the laws of God
The name Nehemiah means “comforted by God”
Cup-bearer to the Persian king, later became governor of Jerusalem
They are both known for rebuilding Jerusalem and restoring the religion
Ezra was a descendant of the tribe of Levi (priests), and Nehemiah was a descendant of the tribe of Judah (royal family).

6. Return From Exile
The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah were originally combined
The story can be broken into three parts:
First Return – followed decree of King Cyrus in 536, lead by the high priest, Zerubbabel, began rebuilding the Temple
Second Return – lead by Ezra during the reign of Artaxerxes, rebuilding the city and religious education
Third Return – lead by Nehemiah under Artaxerxes, rebuilding the wall and the continued rebuilding/resettlement of the city
The story of Esther takes place after King Cyrus ordered the return of the Jews to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple but before the city was rebuilt and resettled.

7. Rebuilding the Temple
King Cyrus (Persia) ordered the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple
He gave back all the religious objects that King Nebuchadnezzar (Assyria) had confiscated from the Temple
Under Zerubbabel, the foundation of the Temple was rebuilt
Local people (Samaritans) offered to help but were rejected, work came to a halt
Work on the Temple had been stopped and had remained at a standstill until the second year of the reign of Emperor Darius of Persia. (Ezra 4:16)

8. Restoring the Faith
Under the next King, Darius, the Temple is completed
Many years later, Ezra is sent by King Artaxerxes to oversee the Temple and teach the people the Laws of God
Ezra is a descendant of Aaron, a priest and scholar of the Law, and one of the educators of King Artaxerxes
Ezra needed to find a new way to teach the people the faith, without changing or watering down the truth
When the Law had been forgotten by Israel, Ezra came up from Babylon and reestablished it . (Talmud)

9. Marriage Matters
Ezra and Nehemiah believed the Exile was a consequence of infidelity to God
The people had become unfaithful and adopted idolatrous ways when they intermarried with foreigners
For this reason, Ezra terminated all mixed marriages to purify the Jewish people
Today, Catholics are strongly advised to evaluate religious differences before entering into marriage
“Separate yourselves from the foreigners living in our land and get rid of your foreign wives.” (Ezra 10:11)

10. Rebuilding Jerusalem
About 14 years later, Nehemiah learns of the sate of Jerusalem
He requests to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the city
Nehemiah faces ridicule and opposition to his work, so he prayed and armed the workers
“They told me that those who had survived and were back in the homeland were in great difficulty and that the foreigners who lived nearby looked down on them. They also told me that the walls of Jerusalem were still broken down and that the gates had not been restored since the time they were burned.” (Nehemiah 1:3-4)

11. Working for Justice
While in Jerusalem, Nehemiah learns that some of the Jewish people are oppressing their own people
Nehemiah practices and advocates for justice – works of service and charity towards others
As Catholics, we are called to live out our faith through example by putting our faith into action
When I heard their complaints, I grew angry and decided to act. I denounced the leaders and officials of the people and told them, “You are oppressing your own relatives!” (Nehemiah 5:7)

12. Laying Down the Law
In Nehemiah 8, we see the liturgy as we know it presented for the first time in history.
It is the first time Torah, the Old Testament as we know it, is mentioned in the Bible.
Ezra caused the people to understand the Scriptures by explaining to them the “sense” of it.
There in the square by the gate he read the Law to them from dawn until noon, and they all listened attentively. (Nehemiah 8:3)

13. The Beginnings of the Mass
Nehemiah 8
Mass Rubric
The water for the libation ceremony was drawn from the Pool of Siloam for purification
Next, the Torah was read in Hebrew - a translation was needed so the people could understand it
Last, the people had a feast
Mass starts with prayers of confession
After the readings, the priest or deacon gives a homily to explain the readings
Following the homily, we celebrate the Eucharist

14. The Dedication
When a religious structure like a church is finished, it is dedicated
A ceremony is held to officially recognize it as a place for gathering God’s holy people for prayer and worship
The wall around Jerusalem was dedicated in a similar way
That day many sacrifices were offered, and the people were full of joy because God had made them very happy. (Nehemiah 12:43)

15. Coming Attractions
In Nehemiah’s absence, the people return to their old ways
Soon, Persia is conquered by Alexander the Great, and the Greek Empire persecutes the Jews
The Maccabees come to the rescue
To be continued…
“Judas and his brothers said, “Now that our enemies have been defeated, let’s go to Jerusalem to purify the Temple and rededicate it.” (1 Maccabees 4:36)

16. This day is holy to the LORD your God, so you are not to mourn or cry
(Nehemiah 8:9)
Verse of the Day

17. Small Groups Go to your rooms for Small Group
Return to this room for closing reflection at 7:45
Small Groups

18. Announcements
May 4 & 7……………….The Maccabees – Last Session June 19…………………..MS Holy Spirit Retreat June 30…………………..Discount Registration Deadline

19. What is the Mass really all about?
Think About It

20. Wedding Feast of the Lamb
In our tradition the Mass is best compared to a romantic dinner. The candles are lit. The wine is served. The groom, Christ is present. The Church, the Bride of Christ, us, is also present. There are flowers to decorate the place. We meet with and discuss our lives with each other through our prayers, the readings and the homily.
Let us remember, today, the tradition of our Sacred Mass. More important, let us remember that call to know, love and serve God.

21. Prayer Petitions
God, allow my faithfulness and trust I you to inspire others to renew their faith and trust in you. We pray to the Lord.
R: Lord, hear our prayer.
God, give me the desire to build up your Church, and show me the many ways to do this. We pray to the Lord.
God, I seek to live my life according to your laws. We pray to the Lord.
God, may I always be a faithful servant of yours, caring for others as you care for me. We pray to the Lord.
R: Lord, hear our prayer.
God, give me the strength to take action in difficult and seemingly hopeless situations. We pray to the Lord.
God, help me see the injustice in my world and be a leader for change. We pray to the Lord.

22. Father in Heaven, ever-living source of all that is good, keep me faithful in serving You.
Help me to drink of Christ's Truth and fill my heart with His Love ,so that I may serve You in faith and love and reach eternal life.
In the Sacrament of the Eucharist ,You give me the joy of sharing Your Life.
Keep me in Your presence. Let me never be separated from You and help me to do Your Will.
Amen
Closing Prayer