Restored to peace

The theme of seeking and maintaining peace is expressed by the Prophet Ezekiel in the texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary. Friar Jude Winkler comments that Ezekiel is writing from exile in Babylon and he understands that the love of God will see them through this difficult time and bring back what seems to be both a restored political order of a Davidic king and a renewed Covenant with a restored understanding that the united Hebrew people are people of God. The relationship of blessedness with God and political stability seems to present, in Jesus time, and continuing today, some confusion and cognitive challenge for the leaders of society. Jesus proclamation in the Gospel of John that He is the Resurrection and the witness of His many signs of mercy, compassion and healing have garnered Him a large following. The traditional control of the religious authorities over the behaviour of the people is slipping away. The decision for political peace, voiced by Caiaphas, is reminiscent of the political maneuvers prior to the Babylonian exile. John proclaims the glory of God, Who will love humanity to death through    
the crucifixion of the Son which is the consequence of the political decision to maintain peace with Rome. The political peace achieved is at the cost of beginning to live in the transcendent eternal relationship with the Divine offered to all, at all times. Our temporal needs and concerns move our decisions toward short term peace with our environment as we hesitate to accept the peace beyond knowing.