rattling bones
"He prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation — and not for this nation only, but to gather into one all the dispersed children of God." —John 11:51-52
Ezekiel prophesied that the chosen people were a field of dry bones (Ez 37:1-2). They had been dead for centuries. Then he prophesied restoration, unity, and peace (Ez 37:21ff). How can dry bones be restored? By nothing other than resurrection of the dead. How can we be restored to unity and peace? By nothing less than resurrection.
We've tried to improve the human condition with education, law and order, communism, capitalism, secularism, militarism, and religion. However, they were all in vain. The only way to deal with the dry bones of our human condition is resurrection. Therefore, Jesus is the only Answer for humanity because He alone can die and rise. Our only hope is to be united with Jesus' death and resurrection by faith in Him.
We are saved by faith from a "dry bones" existence. We express our faith in Jesus through baptism. We are baptized into Jesus and into His death and resurrection (Rm 6:3-5). The dry bones rattle and come together (Ez 37:7). We are born again and restored.
A week from today is Easter Vigil. Many throughout the world will be baptized, and all the baptized will be called to renew their baptismal commitment to Jesus. Give yourself to Jesus, Who has turned dry bones into the abundant life (Jn 10:10).
Prayer: Jesus, in this Holy Week, may I become aware of what You've done for me. You alone have made my life worth living.
Promise: "If we let Him go on like this, the whole world will believe in Him." —Jn 11:48
Praise: Praying daily for his godchildren helps George remember what is truly important: to live out our Baptisms to the fullest.
Rescript: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 27, 2005
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