今天這篇神諭的時間背景是巴比倫之囚之後，耶路撒冷正努力圍繞著聖殿及其傳統的殘存部分重建其生活和禮儀。

先知勸勉百姓要信靠天主。如今，祂為聖殿規劃了新的功能：它不僅將成為以色列人的祈禱之所，也將成為萬民的祈禱之所。

先知邀請蒙揀選的子民敞開心扉，歡迎所有蒙天主呼召前來聖殿敬拜的人。

敞開心扉，歡迎所有被耶穌吸引到祂身邊的人，也是我們的呼召，更是我們肩負的重大責任。

熱情好客可以拯救靈魂。

然而，不幸的是，反之亦然。

The temporal frame of today’s oracle is a time after the Babylonian exile, a time during which Jerusalem tries to rebuild its life and liturgy around what remains of the temple and its tradition.

The prophet exhorts the people to trust in the Lord. Now, the Lord plans for the temple a new function: it will be house of prayer not only for Israel, but for all peoples.

The prophet invites the chosen people to open their hearts and welcome all those the Lord will call to worship in His temple.

To open our hearts and welcome all those Jesus attracts to himself is also our call and our very great responsibility. A welcoming attitude can save a soul. And unfortunately, the opposite is true as well.