The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today use the aspirations of the Hebrew exiles to connect us with our mission to be Christ to those who are separated by circumstances from home and relationship with God.
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| God and Country |
In the 1st reading from Ezekiel, the two Sticks represent the divided Israel that will become one nation under the Shepherd.
* [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.1
The road of return is described poetically by Jeremiah.
THE ROAD OF RETURN USCCB Bible Jeremiah Chapter 312
The Gospel from John describes a session of the Sanhedrin during which the chief priest advocates that Jesus die for the nation.
* [11:48] The Romans will come: Johannine irony; this is precisely what happened after Jesus’ death.3
Vivian Amu shares that these days, the image that presents itself in her mind when she thinks about the scattered children of God, is the image of refugees from all over the world knocking at the doors of countries that are not their own, hoping for a better narrative than violence and poverty.
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| Migration is dividing children of God |
The readings today also made me reflect on things that cause division in my soul; things in my life that have to die for me to live fully for the greater glory of God; death of bad habits, death of grudges, death of my desire to be liked, and death of wastefulness, so that I can live. Once again, who am I, that the Son of God had to die for my sake? Having this in mind, my walk towards Holy week is mostly filled with the fragrance of gratitude and a need for humility. Listen closely these coming days, our love story is about to be told; we are the beloved. The passion is not just some event that happened a long time ago; it is still happening, and God is still loving us completely. God is still completely in love with us---the beloved.4
Don Schwager quotes “The crucifixion is always lived,” by Saint 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) 5
The Word Among Us Meditation on Ezekiel 37:21-28 considers that we all know what it’s like to make room in our homes for a new arrival, whether a new baby, a child returning from college, or an ailing parent.
God promises to help with the rearranging, cleaning, and even rebuilding. He promises to be with them to restore them and redeem them and cleanse them from their sins. He will even make his home with them.
Doesn’t this sound remarkably similar to Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit, who “remains with you, and will be in you” (John 14:17)? It should! After all, this is the same Holy Spirit who spoke through Ezekiel. The same Holy Spirit who restored Israel is living in and among us. Of course, he works in and through the Church. But he is also at work in your heart. Cleansing? Yes. Restoring? Yes. Redeeming? Yes. Rearranging? Yes!6
Friar Jude Winkler gives some background to the image of Ezekiel of one nation in a Covenant of peace faithful to Shepherd God. Ezekiel as prophet and priest exalts the sanctuary of the Temple. Friar Jude observes that the choice of the chief priest to avoid the intercession of the Romans was likely self serving to preserve their privilege in Jerusalem.
Cynthia Bourgeault describes an anointing liturgy called “The Unction at Bethany,” created by the Commuauté de l’Agneau, which has been performed in Paris on the Monday of Holy Week.
In an ornate and beautiful ceremony, it liturgically reenacted Mary Magdalene’s anointing of Jesus, with [individuals] playing the respective parts. . . . [We] allowed the momentum to build steadily toward the moment when our designated Mary Magdalene knelt before our designated Jesus and anointed his feet. Departing from the text, we then had Jesus kneel before Mary Magdalene and anoint her feet. Then, working in pairs, the entire group did likewise.
To call the impact wrenching would be an understatement. People were blown wide open, then put back together in a space that most had never encountered before, at least in a Christian context. . . .7
The actions that bring about unity among people are the result of the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The ritual preparation through anointing and washing of the feet position our minds to be open to others in humility and service.
References
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(n.d.). Ezekiel 37 - usccb. Retrieved April 13, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/ezekiel/ezekiel37.htm
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(n.d.). Jeremiah, chapter 31 - usccb. Retrieved April 13, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/jeremiah/31
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(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections - OnlineMinistries - Creighton University. Retrieved April 13, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
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(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 13, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
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(2019, April 12). 5th Week of Lent - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily Meditations for .... Retrieved April 13, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/04/13/
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(n.d.). Richard Rohr - Daily Meditations Archive - Center for Action and .... Retrieved April 13, 2019, from https://cac.org/richard-rohr/daily-meditations/daily-meditations-archive/
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