Reading October 2, 2019
Nehemiah 2:1-8
In the month Nisan of the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes,when the wine was in my charge,I took some and offered it to the king.As I had never before been sad in his presence,the king asked me, “Why do you look sad?If you are not sick, you must be sad at heart.”Though I was seized with great fear, I answered the king:“May the king live forever!How could I not look sadwhen the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins,and its gates have been eaten out by fire?”The king asked me, “What is it, then, that you wish?”I prayed to the God of heaven and then answered the king:“If it please the king,and if your servant is deserving of your favor,send me to Judah, to the city of my ancestors’ graves,to rebuild it.”Then the king, and the queen seated beside him,asked me how long my journey would takeand when I would return.I set a date that was acceptable to him,and the king agreed that I might go.I asked the king further: “If it please the king,let letters be given to me for the governorsof West-of-Euphrates,that they may afford me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah;also a letter for Asaph, the keeper of the royal park,that he may give me wood for timbering the gatesof the temple-citadel and for the city walland the house that I shall occupy.”The king granted my requests,for the favoring hand of my God was upon me.
Psalm 137:1-6
By the streams of Babylonwe sat and weptwhen we remembered Zion.On the aspens of that landwe hung up our harps.Though there our captors asked of usthe lyrics of our songs,And our despoilers urged us to be joyous:"Sing for us the songs of Zion!"How could we sing a song of the LORDin a foreign land?If I forget you, Jerusalem,may my right hand be forgotten! May my tongue cleave to my palateif I remember you not,If I place not Jerusalemahead of my joy.
Psalm 103:21
Bless the LORD, all you angels,you ministers, who do his will.
Matthew 18:1-5,10
The disciples approached Jesus and said,"Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?"He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said,"Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.Whoever humbles himself like this childis the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me."See that you do not despise one of these little ones,for I say to you that their angels in heavenalways look upon the face of my heavenly Father."