Many nations surround their Constitutions with great marks of respect and look on them as sources not only of guidance for life but almost even of national life itself. In today's reading from Nehemiah and in the Gospel we can sit in on dramatic scenes akin to Constitutions being presented to the returned Jewish exiles in Jerusalem and to Jesus' townspeople in Nazareth.

Ezra, a scribe, and Nehemiah, a layman, have worked together to reestablish the returned exiles as the People of God. Nehemiah organised the reconstruction of the city walls and Ezra persuaded the people to accept the Law as their life guide.The Law from God was to be their Constitution. At the end of the reading of the Law Ezra tells the people to rejoice and have a holiday and a big meal. An amusing and realistic note is added by the words "present were the children old enough to understand." The passage itself tells us that the reading was very long!

In the Gospel, in an equally dramatic way, is depicted the unveiling of another Constitution to a wondering people. Luke tells us that "the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently" at Jesus. He was the embodied Constitution of the new People of God which was being established by His words and deeds. Jesus is our Constitution and life giving Law too.