“Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you”

Sunday's readings: “Unless you repent, you will all perish as they did” (Lk 13:3)

“While he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white.”

“It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God,and serve only him’”(Lk 4:8)

“Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” (Lk 5:8)

The broad context for Ezra rsquo s reading of the Law of Moses to the people ldquo before the Water Gate rdquo is the return from the exile in Babylon and the reconstruction of the religious life of the people of Israel This reconstruction included rebuilding the Temple but also rebuilding the kn