First Reading: Ezk 37:1-14; Psalm: 107. R. v. 1; Gospel: Mt 22:34-40

HOPING ON GOD WHOSE LOVE NEVER FAILS

BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP

The prophet Ezekiel prophesied on the dry bones in the wilderness as commanded by the Lord. The bones all came together and were covered by sinews and flesh. He made another prophesy and the spirit came upon the bones covered with sinews and flesh and it came back to life. It was an exceedingly great host. This prophecy was a sign of hope to the people of Israel who considered their exile to Babylon a hopeless one. The Lord assures them through this prophecy that though their situation may seem as hopeless as dry bones, he will revive them again and bring them back to their land.

The love of God overshadows all things; even our sins. This prophecy of Ezekiel that portends well demonstrates the love of God over his people Israel who were exiled due to their sins. In their hopelessness God gave them hope again. And this is what the love of God does. The love that forgives and restores. The love that gives hope in hopelessness. The love that does the unbelievable. So when Jesus said that love was the greatest of all the commandments, he was speaking of the love that he has shown to us.

People today still find themselves in hopeless situations that has left them trusting only on God. For some, God came through for them while for others things never really turned out as they hoped. But does this in anyway put God’s love or hoping on God into question? Remember, not all the exiles of Israel returned home. Some died in exile; some were born in exile but only the survivors returned from exile. They all hoped to return alive but not all returned. When we feel not favoured or lucky to receive God’s love, we should remember the things we were not thankful for. Those things are in themselves gifts of God’s love.  

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Lord Jesus, may our love and hope in you not fail us. Amen.