Daily Readings - Sat Mar 27 2021
Ezekiel
21then say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will take the people of Israel from the nations among which they have gone, and will gather them from all around, and bring them to their own land.22And I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. And one king shall be king over them all, and they shall be no longer two nations, and no longer divided into two kingdoms.23They shall not defile themselves anymore with their idols and their detestable things, or with any of their transgressions. But I will save them from all the backslidings in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them; and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.24"My servant David shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd. They shall walk in my rules and be careful to obey my statutes.25They shall dwell in the land that I gave to my servant Jacob, where your fathers lived. They and their children and their children's children shall dwell there forever, and David my servant shall be their prince forever.26I will make a covenant of peace with them. It shall be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will set them in their land and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in their midst forevermore.27My dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.28Then the nations will know that I am the LORD who sanctifies Israel, when my sanctuary is in their midst forevermore."
John
45Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him,46but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.47So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the Council and said, "What are we to do? For this man performs many signs.48If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation."49But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all.50Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish."51He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation,52and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.53So from that day on they made plans to put him to death.54Jesus therefore no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there to the region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and there he stayed with the disciples.55Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves.56They were looking for Jesus and saying to one another as they stood in the temple, "What do you think? That he will not come to the feast at all?"57Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where he was, he should let them know, so that they might arrest him.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound messages of unity and divine providence. Ezekiel's vision in chapter 37 speaks of a restored Israel, where God gathers His dispersed people into one nation under the leadership of David. This passage, set against the backdrop of the Babylonian exile, offers hope and renewal, emphasizing God's covenant of peace and the establishment of His sanctuary among His people. It underscores the theme of unity and God's enduring presence.
In the Gospel of John, we witness the aftermath of Lazarus's resurrection. While many believe in Jesus, the religious leaders fear losing their authority and conspire against Him. Caiaphas's statement, though motivated by political intent, unknowingly prophesies Jesus's sacrificial death for the salvation of all. This highlights the divine plan unfolding despite human opposition, with Jesus's withdrawal signifying a step towards fulfilling His mission.
Both readings converge on themes of unity and redemption. Ezekiel's prophecy of a unified Israel under God's shepherd finds fulfillment in Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who unites all people through His sacrifice. This unity is not merely physical but spiritual, calling us to live in harmony and trust in God's plan. In our daily lives, we are reminded to embrace unity and trust in divine providence, even amidst challenges. Let us reflect on how we can contribute to unity and trust in God's plan, just as Jesus exemplified through His life and sacrifice.