The First Reading by the Prophet Ezekiel is a message of hope to a dispersed and discouraged people; he was among those deported when the Babylonians first took Jerusalem. In exile his mission was to preach the word of God in order to bring new life and hope to a ‘dead’ Israel. Ezekiel’s message is clear: he assures his hearers of God’s abiding presence among them, of God’s involvement in the events of the day, so that Israel and all nations “will know that I am the Lord.” This is parallel to today’s Gospel about the raising of Lazarus which is unique to St. John.
We know Jesus is Lord in the raising of his dead friend; an act that identifies him as the Messiah, and is the prelude to his own death and resurrection⎯our message of hope and new life. St. Paul writes that as a result of this great act of God’s love, we are empowered to live a new life in the Spirit. The Gospel Acclamation for today is: “I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will never die.” Considering the truth of this, the psalm for today (#130) is appropriate: “With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.” We acknowledge this truth with voices raised in songs of praise and thanks to God!
Next week end on Palm/Passion Sunday we begin the celebration of the holiest week of our liturgical year. In pre-Christian times, the palm was regarded as a symbol of victory. It was adopted by the early Christians as the symbol of victory of the faithful over the enemies of the soul: a symbol of the spirit over the flesh. When you return home from the Palm Sunday celebration, place the palm behind the crucifix as a reminder that it is through the cross that you will gain the final victory.
As believers, we Lift High the Cross: the symbol of new life, mercy and redemption.
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
We know Jesus is Lord in the raising of his dead friend; an act that identifies him as the Messiah, and is the prelude to his own death and resurrection⎯our message of hope and new life. St. Paul writes that as a result of this great act of God’s love, we are empowered to live a new life in the Spirit. The Gospel Acclamation for today is: “I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will never die.” Considering the truth of this, the psalm for today (#130) is appropriate: “With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.” We acknowledge this truth with voices raised in songs of praise and thanks to God!
Next week end on Palm/Passion Sunday we begin the celebration of the holiest week of our liturgical year. In pre-Christian times, the palm was regarded as a symbol of victory. It was adopted by the early Christians as the symbol of victory of the faithful over the enemies of the soul: a symbol of the spirit over the flesh. When you return home from the Palm Sunday celebration, place the palm behind the crucifix as a reminder that it is through the cross that you will gain the final victory.
As believers, we Lift High the Cross: the symbol of new life, mercy and redemption.
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
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