It is 27th March 2021.
The readings are from Ezekiel 37:21-28; and the Gospel from John 11:45-56.
As we are in the Holy Week, may we focus on Jesus. It is the time come near Jesus and to listen to Him.
Unity of all people under one God is the vision of God for all people. God’s new covenant will be the instrument to bring all people together. The intention of God is to bring back all who are scattered and divided on account of so many reasons. When we have our personal and secret agenda, we ignore the significance of unifying people. A personal cleansing of ourselves is needed to enjoy unity.
“I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; and I will bless them and multiply them and will set my sanctuary among them forevermore.” (Ez.37:26). It is not just creating one nation but to make them feel loved by God as children of same loving God.
The responsorial Psalm praises, “The Lord will guard us, as a shepherd guards his flock.” (Jer.31:10).
Jesus too desired and deemed to gather everyone. A Jesus was so popular, yet people were divided in two groups; one for Him and another was deadly against Him and vowed to get rid of Him. The leaders wished to sacrifice Jesus to safeguard their notion of nationhood and unity. They tried to convince people telling, “it is better for you to have one man die for the people than to have the whole nation destroyed.” (Jn.11:50). The words of Caiaphas indicated the power of unity by the sacrifice of Christ. “Jesus was about to die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but to gather into one the dispersed children of God.” (Jn.11:51). It is by conscious losing of oneself, we can unite everyone. When we stand firm convinced of holding our side of truth, we might lose sight of the Truth itself. Jesus alone has the power to unite us all when we are willing live the values of the Gospel. May God bless you. Have a nice day.