Ezra 9:5-9 / Luke 9:1-6
Whenever we talk about cause and effect, we will understand that it is meant to find out the cause or causes from what was manifested or the effects that are seen.
This is especially important in medical science as the manifestations of effects of a disease is analysed so as to determine the cause of the disease.
If we lived during the time of Ezra of the 1st reading, we may wonder if that was the time of the end of the world.
There was war and destruction, and the people, from the king downwards, were given to the sword, to captivity, to pillage and to shame.
But when Ezra saw all that happening, he knew what was the cause as he said this: My God, I am ashamed, I blush to lift my face to you, my God. For our crimes have increased, until they are higher than our heads, and our sin has piled up to heaven.
So the cause of the turmoil and the distress that were happening is clear, and that is the sins of the people were overwhelming, and hence the effects were also overwhelming.
In the gospel, Jesus gave His apostles the power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases.
This is to clear the obstacles that evil and illness have caused so that Good News of kingdom of God can be proclaimed.
So as we see the turmoil and distress of our present world, let us turn to God and ask for mercy and forgiveness.
The Good News is that God wants to save us. May God save us from what causes us to sin so that we can truly receive healing and forgiveness.