Daily Readings - Fri Aug 19 2022
Ezekiel
1The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones.2He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry.3He asked me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" I said, "O Sovereign LORD, you alone know."4Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD!5This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.6I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.'"7So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone.8I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.9Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, that they may live.'"10So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet-a vast army.11Then he said to me: "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, 'Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.'12Therefore prophesy and say to them: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: O my people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel.13Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them.14I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.'"
Matthew
34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together.35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"37Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'38This is the first and greatest commandment.39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful metaphors and teachings that guide us toward a deeper understanding of spiritual life and love. Ezekiel's vision of the valley of dry bones paints a vivid picture of despair and hopelessness, yet it is transformed by the promise of God's Spirit. The bones, once lifeless, are rejuvenated through prophecy and the breath of life, symbolizing the restoration of Israel. This vision reminds us that even in our darkest moments, God's Spirit can bring renewal and hope.
In the Gospel, Jesus simplifies the essence of the law into two commandments: loving God with all our being and loving our neighbor as ourselves. These teachings are not just rules but the foundation of a life lived in harmony with God and others. Just as Ezekiel's dry bones needed the Spirit to come to life, our spiritual lives are enlivened by embracing these commandments. Love becomes the breath that animates our faith, transforming us from being spiritually lifeless to vibrant followers of Christ.
As we reflect on these readings, let us consider how we can embody this life-giving love in our daily lives. May we allow the Spirit to move through us, bringing life to those around us through acts of love and compassion. Just as God restored Israel, may we find restoration in our own lives by living out the commandments of love, thereby fostering a community that reflects the vibrant life of the Spirit.