The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to seek the consolation of the Spirit as we journey in the trust that Jesus is our Shepherd.
In the reading from the Prophet Ezekiel two sticks symbolize the reunion of Israel in the Covenant.
* [37:15–22] The symbolic action of joining two sticks into one continues Ezekiel’s description of God’s future saving action: the unification of Judah and Israel under an ideal ruler. (Ezekiel, CHAPTER 37, n.d.)
The response from the Prophet Jeremiah describes the road of return for the exiles.
* [31:2–3] Jeremiah describes the exiles of the Northern Kingdom on their way home from the nations where the Assyrians had resettled them (722/721 B.C.). The favor they discover in the wilderness is the appearance of the Lord (v. 3) coming to guide them to Jerusalem. Implicit in these verses is the presentation of the people’s return from captivity as a second exodus, a unifying theme in Second Isaiah (chaps. 40–55). (Jeremiah, CHAPTER 31, n.d.)
In the Gospel of John, a session of the Sanhedrin proposes the plot to kill Jesus.
* [11:48] The Romans will come: Johannine irony; this is precisely what happened after Jesus’ death.
* [11:49] That year: emphasizes the conjunction of the office and the year. Actually, Caiaphas was high priest A.D. 18–36. The Jews attributed a gift of prophecy, sometimes unconscious, to the high priest.
* [11:52] Dispersed children of God: perhaps the “other sheep” of Jn 10:16.
* [11:54] Ephraim is usually located about twelve miles northeast of Jerusalem, where the mountains descend into the Jordan valley.
* [11:55] Purify: prescriptions for purity were based on Ex 19:10–11, 15; Nm 9:6–14; 2 Chr 30:1–3, 15–18. (John, CHAPTER 11, n.d.)
Nicky Santos, S.J. comments that in today’s gospel, the chief priests and Pharisees, afraid of the popularity of Jesus, deemed it better for him to be put to death to safeguard their own power and authority. They were choosing death over life.
As we move into Holy Week, we will once again be invited to accompany Jesus through his passion, crucifixion, and death and to rejoice in the resurrection on Easter Sunday. The services on Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday are rich and meaningful. In addition to participating in these services, this might be a good time to ask ourselves to what extent do we truly believe in the life that Jesus gives not just after we physically die but in the here and now. Do we really believe in Jesus who is the resurrection and the life by the way we live our lives? Or do we, like the chief priests and Pharisees in today’s reading, continue to crucify Jesus to safeguard our own power, authority, and way of life? In essence, do we choose life, or do we choose death? (Santos, 2023)
Don Schwager quotes “The crucifixion is always lived,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"The crucifixion is something that must continue throughout our life, not for forty days only, although Moses, Elijah, and Christ fasted forty days. We are meant to learn from them not to cling to this present world or imitate what it says, but to nail our unregenerate selves to the cross." (excerpt from Sermon 205,1) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on John 11:45-56 comments that when Jesus accepted Pilate’s unjust condemnation (John 19:16), he gathered all sinners to himself. By offering himself on Calvary, he took upon himself every sin so that through him, every sinner can receive forgiveness (1 Peter 2:24; John 3:16).
As you enter Holy Week, remember that Jesus is gathering you in. He is bringing you home to his Father and to your brothers and sisters in Christ. Let him draw you close. Receive his mercy and forgiveness, and take your place in his family.
“Lord Jesus, gather me into your family.” (Meditation on John 11:45-56, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that Ezekiel shares a prophecy of one prince to unite Israel after the death of Solomon. The Sanhedrin meets to discuss how Jesus will be the cause of destruction like other “messiahs” that were put down by foreign powers. Friar Jude observes that the prophecy from Caiphas that Jesus should be killed to save the whole nation was unintentional truth.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Buddhist teacher and addiction counselor Valerie Mason-John who created the AGE (Awareness, Gathering, Expanding) practice to help people when they are suffering. Through greater consciousness of our thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations, contemplative practice helps us encounter Divine Reality in our powerlessness
There are three stages to [the practice]: Awareness, Gathering, and Expanding (hence AGE)….
1. Bring Awareness to whatever is happening right now. (Assume a gently upright posture.) Become aware of your thoughts: what are you thinking right now? Allow your thoughts to be there, without pushing them away.
What are you feeling right now? Let your feelings be there too. Acknowledge them as they are, even if they are difficult.
Become aware of sensations in your body, especially any strong physical sensations. As best you can, just allow them to be there and bring an attitude of friendly curiosity toward them.
2. Then, Gather your attention on the breath, becoming aware of the breath coming in and going out of your nostrils and the movement of your chest and belly. Focus on the physical sensation of the breath.…
3. Finally, Expand your awareness to include the whole body. As best you can, feel the physical sensations in the whole of your body…. If you notice any areas of tension or tightness, you could direct your attention there. You could imagine directing your breath to these areas, breathing into and exploring the sensations with the breath. (Rohr, 2023)
We seek the practice of living in the moment that builds our hope, trust, and love as we allow the Presence of God to reassure us.
References
Ezekiel, CHAPTER 37. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved April 1, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ezekiel/37?21
Jeremiah, CHAPTER 31. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved April 1, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/jeremiah/31?10
John, CHAPTER 11. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved April 1, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/11?
Meditation on John 11:45-56. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved April 1, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/04/01/642626/
Rohr, R. (2023, April 1). Powerlessness: Weekly Summary — Center for Action and Contemplation. Cac.org. Retrieved April 1, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/powerlessness-weekly-summary-2023-04-01/
Santos, N. (2023, April 1). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved April 1, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/040123.html
Schwager, D. (n.d.). They Took Counsel How to Put Him to Death. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 1, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=apr1
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