Daily Readings - Sat Mar 23 2024
Ezekiel
21And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land:22And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all:23Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwellingplaces, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God.24And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.25And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever.26Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.27My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.28And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.
John
45Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.46But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.47Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.48If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.49And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,50Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.51And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;52And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.53Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.54Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.55And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.56Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast?
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that illuminate God's plan of salvation and unity. The first reading from Ezekiel 37:21-28 presents a vision of restoration where God gathers the scattered Israelites, uniting them under one king and cleansing them from sin. This prophecy signifies hope and renewal, emphasizing God's covenant with His people. The second reading, John 11:45-56, shifts to the events leading to Jesus' crucifixion. The Pharisees, fearing loss of power, conspire against Jesus, and Caiaphas unwittingly prophesies that Jesus' death will unite all God's children. This passage underscores the sacrificial nature of Jesus' mission.
Ezekiel's context is one of exile and despair, offering a message of future restoration. In contrast, John's narrative is set amidst growing opposition to Jesus, highlighting the tension between human plotting and divine purpose. Both readings converge on the theme of unity—Ezekiel's united Israel and the universal unity through Jesus' sacrifice. This unity is not merely physical but spiritual, reflecting God's desire to bring all people together.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to embrace unity and trust in God's providence. Just as Ezekiel's prophecy inspired hope, we too can find hope in God's plan. Jesus' sacrifice teaches us the value of selfless love and the importance of unity over division. As we navigate our own challenges, let us strive to be instruments of unity, reflecting God's love and trusting in His plan, even when circumstances seem uncertain. May we find strength in the knowledge that God's plan is always one of restoration and unity.