The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to invoke the Holy Spirit when our desire for peace and unity is threatened by temptation to divide and dismiss.
The reading from the Prophet Ezekiel describes uniting the Two Sticks.
* [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 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Prophet Jeremiah praises the Road of Return.
In the Gospel of John, The plot to kill Jesus is discussed in the Session of the Sanhedrin.
* [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 | USCCB, n.d.)
Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries was not available at publication time.
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 Ezekiel 37:21-28 notes that surprisingly, this “gathering” began to occur over the centuries that followed. But it was sporadic and partial at best. Then came Jesus. Offering his life in sacrifice for Israel, and for all people, he broke down every “dividing wall of enmity” (Ephesians 2:14) and brought people from every nation into his Church.
We know how hard this can be. But remember, God has made us one in Christ, and he continues to deepen our unity every time we come together to celebrate the Eucharist. It is there that we receive the grace to be gatherers, not scatterers. It’s there that we can learn to see other people as the Lord does. By his Spirit, we can live as one!
“Lord, strengthen me so that I can be an agent of unity rather than of division.” (Meditation on Ezekiel 37:21-28, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler discusses the restoration of Israel under David as presented by Ezekiel. The Gospel of John today prepares us for Holy Week. The three Passover mentions in John have established the length of Jesus' ministry.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, describes how “gazing” brings him in touch with God in all things.
I believe gazing is a form of prayer that lets things having no right to draw forth awe leave us awestruck. I looked at the cracked asphalt. There it is. Why is it there? I don’t know why, but its mere being made me love it, made me appreciate it, made me thank it. I did the same with three dumpsters in the lot. Really! They were ugly and covered with graffiti. Fortunately, the graffiti right on the front says, “I love you!” Facing toward my house, a little graffiti saying, “I love you!” I even looked at the raggedy fence line, torn and repaired. I looked at it until it was at least a little bit beautiful. That’s what kept happening for the whole hour and a half.
It was just beautiful because I let it be beautiful, or God let it be beautiful. I wasn’t looking for answers, I was just a ruminating mind, gazing, and the more I gazed without judgment, without analysis, without critique, the more beautiful everything became. (Rohr, n.d.)
We prepare for Holy Week as we contemplate the tension between acceptance and rejection in our openness to the movement of the Holy Spirit.
References
Ezekiel, CHAPTER 37 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 23, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ezekiel/37?
John, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 23, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/11?45
Meditation on Ezekiel 37:21-28. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved March 23, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/03/23/918448/
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Everyday Mysticism: Weekly Summary. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved March 23, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/everyday-mysticism-weekly-summary/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). They Took Counsel How to Put Him to Death. Wikipedia. Retrieved March 23, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=mar23
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