Brief refection for Lent 5

Reflection on Ezekiel 37: 1-14

Even beautifully read like that, this is one of the weirdest stories in the Bible, I think.
But I think it’s got a lot to offer us, today.

We have been thinking about the wonder of God’s creation, about our place in caring for it, and we have confessed the need to mend the damage which humankind has caused to the world.

And maybe it’s because Easter is late this year & so it feels such a long time since the last holiday
or maybe it’s because the news of unrest and tsunami and shootings seems relentless
or maybe it’s because Lent forces us to face up to our mortality and fear
.. but I can really relate to those dry bones – scattered, useless, dessicated.

Ezekiel is shown them because the Lord wants his people to know that even though they feel scattered and worthless now, they will be brought back to their land and their God will not abandon them. God breathes new life into the bones, just as he will breathe new life into the people of Israel.

Resurrection is God’s gift to those who need it most. New life, new power, new hope.
We know that this is what Ezekiel saw, we know it is what Jesus promised when he raised Lazarus, and we now it is how the Lent and Easter story ends.

When we look at our world and feel helpless, we need to turn to God, whose power can fill us with new life and new resolve.

So hear the word of the Lord – and be enabled to act to cherish our world.
Hear the word of the Lord – and receive strength for life.
Hear the word of the Lord – and get ready to celebrate the Easter joy of death overcome by new life.
Hear the word of the Lord – and rise up, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Comments

Louise said…
Amen!

Thanks Ruth xxx
9 April 2011 at 19:48
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