First Reading (Ez 37,21-28)
Reading of Ezekiel’s Prophecy.
This is what the Lord God says: “I myself will take the Israelites from among the nations where they have gone, I will gather them from everywhere and bring them back to their own land.
I will make them a single nation in the land, in the mountains of Israel, and only one king will reign over them all. They will never again form two nations, nor will they be divided into two kingdoms again. They will no longer stain themselves with their idols and will never again commit infamous abominations. I will free them from all the sin they have committed in their unfaithfulness, and I will purify them. They will be my people and I will be their God.
My servant David will reign over them, and there will be one shepherd for them all. They will live according to my precepts and keep my laws, putting them into practice. They will live in the country that I gave to my servant Jacob, where your fathers lived; They too will dwell there forever, with their children and grandchildren, and my servant David will be their prince forever.
I will make a covenant of peace with them, it will be an everlasting covenant. I will establish them and multiply them, and I will place my sanctuary in their midst forever. My address will be with them. I will be their God and they will be my people. So the nations will know that I, the Lord, sanctify Israel, because my sanctuary is among them forever.”
– Word of the Lord.
– Thank God.
Gospel (John 11,45-56)
— PROCLAMATION of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John.
— Glory to you, Lord.
At that time, many of the Jews who had gone to Mary’s house and saw what Jesus had done, believed in him. Some, however, went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. Then the high priests and the Pharisees gathered the council together and said, “What shall we do? This man performs many signs. If we let him continue like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy our Holy Place and our nation.”
One of them, named Caiaphas, high priest in office that year, said: “You understand nothing. Don’t you realize that it is better for one person to die for the people than for the entire nation to perish?” Caiaphas did not say this for himself. As high priest in office that year, he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation. And not only for the nation, but also to gather the scattered children of God. From that day on, the Jewish authorities made the decision to kill Jesus.
Therefore, Jesus no longer walked among the Jews in public. He withdrew to a region near the desert, to a city called Ephraim. There he remained with his disciples. The Passover of the Jews was near. Many people from the countryside had gone up to Jerusalem to purify themselves before Easter. They were looking for Jesus and, when they gathered at the Temple, they commented among themselves: “What do you think? Is he not coming to the party?”
— Word of Salvation.
— Glory to you, Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
Brothers and sisters in Christ,
May the peace of the Lord be with you all!
Today, I would like to begin our reflection with a question: how often do we feel as if we are trapped in a valley of dry bones? How often do we find ourselves surrounded by hardship, despair and desolation? Life often presents us with challenges that seem impossible to overcome. But, dear brothers and sisters, just like the prophet Ezekiel, God calls us to believe that He can bring life and hope even in the most desolate situations.
In today’s first reading, from the book of Ezekiel, we see how God promises to reunite His scattered people, bringing them back to the promised land. He talks about uniting the two tribes of Israel, Judah and Ephraim, who had been separated for so long. God promises to restore his people, bringing them back to their land and giving them a new heart and a new spirit. He promises to be their God, and they will be his people.
This promise of restoration and renewal echoes in our hearts today. Just like the people of Israel, we can feel broken and separated from God. Life’s tribulations and challenges can leave us discouraged and desperate. But, dear brothers and sisters, God is inviting us to believe that He can bring us back to life, just as He brought life to the dry bones in the valley.
In the Gospel of John, we read about the resurrection of Lazarus. Jesus, upon learning that Lazarus was dead, goes to the tomb and calls him out. Lazarus, who had been dead for four days, is resurrected and freed from the chains of death. This passage reveals to us Jesus’ immense compassion and his power over death. He is the God who brings life where there is only death, hope where there is only despair.
Dear brothers and sisters, these biblical passages show us that God is the God of restoration and life. He is able to bring life where there is only death, hope where there is only despair. He can free us from the chains that bind us and give us a new heart and a new spirit.
But how does this apply to our everyday lives? How can we experience this restoration and life in our own lives? Allow me to share with you some reflections and practical guidelines.
First, it is essential that we seek an intimate relationship with God. This involves regular prayer, reading God’s Word, and participating in the sacraments. When we open ourselves to God, He comes into our lives and begins to transform them. It is as if He breathed His Holy Spirit upon us, giving us a new heart and a new spirit.
Secondly, we need to trust God’s promise. Just as the people of Israel trusted the promise that God would bring them back to their land, we need to trust the promise that He can bring us life and hope. This doesn’t mean that all of our problems will magically disappear, but it does mean that God will walk with us through them and strengthen us.
Furthermore, we must be bearers of God’s hope to others. Just as Jesus called Lazarus out of the tomb, we are called to be instruments of life and hope for those around us. We can do this through words of encouragement, acts of kindness and offering practical support to people who are going through difficult times.
My dear brothers and sisters, today’s message is a message of hope and renewal. No matter how bleak your situation, God can bring life where there is only death. He can bring hope where there is only despair. He can bring restoration where there is only desolation.
May we open our hearts to God’s transforming action in our lives. May we trust in His promise of life and hope. And may we be bearers of God’s hope to those around us.
Let us remember that, like the prophet Ezekiel and the people of Israel, we are called to a life of restoration and renewal. We are invited to leave behind the old ways of living and embrace the new heart and new spirit that God wants to give us. No matter how far away we feel from God, He is always ready to welcome us back into His loving arms.
At this point, I want to invite each of you to close your eyes and briefly reflect on how today’s biblical passages apply to your personal life. Think about the areas where you need restoration and renovation. Think about the people around you who need hope and encouragement. And silently offer these intentions to God.
Dear God, hear our prayers. Grant us the grace to experience Your restoration and renewal in our lives. Strengthen us in our faith and help us to be bearers of hope to those around us. Give us the courage to leave behind the old ways of living and embrace the new heart and new spirit that the Lord wants to give us. We trust in His promise of life and hope. Amen.
Dear brothers and sisters, may today’s message remain with us as we leave this sacred place. May we live according to God’s promise, bringing life and hope to those we meet on our path. May we be living witnesses of His love and grace.
May God bless you and keep you. May He make His face shine upon you and grant you peace. Amen.
