20th Week in Ordinary Time, Aug.25, St. Louis, King

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14. Psalm 107. Matthew 22:34-40

It is difficult to find references to bodily (transformed) resurrection in the Hebrew Scriptures; there are a few after the Greek influence comes into the picture around 300 B.C.E. This is in the Wisdom literature and in what we Catholics accept as divinely inspired such as the Book of Wisdom (written by the Alexandrian Jews). Then the immortality of the soul is evident in the texts. However, for Christians who read the Bible as including both the Old Testament and the New Testament, then resurrection is seen through the Gospels and the Resurrection narratives. Moreover, through the liturgy many of the texts from the Old Testament are then reread in the light of Jesus' resurrection. In the prophet Ezekiel the vision he has of the dry bones coming to life again and the restoring of God's people to Jerusalem and Israel, the Promised Land takes on also an afterlife significance for the Christian reader or listener. It is, however, a rereading of the Old Testament prophets in the light of the New Testament. Seen in an organic way this makes sense for the Christian especially in the liturgy where one is not trying to solve the intricacies of the social location and exegesis of the passages. We are just enjoying them in the light of our faith and our prayer. That is what they are meant for us the ordinary people. The experts can do the excavating and philological searchings. So, it is in the rereading of the total collection known as the Bible that we come to understand something about Jesus' resurrection and its effect on our own. All of this is faith in a mystery beyond human comprehension. This is the way I then read Ezekiel today in the light of my faith in a personal resurrection.

One of my fellow Marianists has accepted the office of spiritual director for the Marianist Mission. I found his first letter informing the readers of his role very in tune with what I am saying above. Here is paragraph from Fr. Pat Tonry's letter: "During stressful or sad times we seek reminders of God's love and grace. When we open our hearts, we sens His power alive in the world. You and I are asked often, perhaps even daily, to step forth in faith not realizing what will happen. However, we as persons of faith, know we are safe in Him...no matter what. What will God do for you if you trust Him?

I found this helpful for my prayer this morning and also the Psalm verse which says, "God satisfied the longing soul and filled the hungry soul with good things."

How can we ever feel confident there is a Resurrection? Jesus tells us through his answer to the sincere Pharisee that by living out the commandments we are able to do God's will. They are simple--love of God and love of our neighbor. These two commandments make up the Law and the Prophets---meaning the whole of God's revealed word. Our faith needs to be nourished by the entire Bible which gives us the bigger picture and this includes the Resurrection. God has put a desire within us to live forever. A loving and merciful God does not frustrate our noblest desires but encourages them. Lord, increase our faith. Amen.