Ezekiel 37:1-14
Psalm 107:2-9
Matthew 22:34-40
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HOPE EVEN NOW
"They have been saying, 'Our bones are dried up, our hope is lost.' " —Ezekiel 37:11
In the last generation, much of the world has engaged in an unprecedented bloodbath through chemical and surgical abortions, starvation, “ethnic cleansing,” and many other atrocities, displaying a blatant disregard for human life. Some have commented that, if God does not destroy us, He will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah. Is there hope for our culture?
There is hope because:
• Jesus has already definitively conquered the evil one. He now waits for His enemies to be placed beneath His feet (Heb 10:12-13).
• The Holy Spirit could prophesy new life into our culture, even if it were destroyed (Ez 37:4ff).
• God’s “mercy triumphs over judgment” (Jas 2:13).
• Some of those victimized by the culture of death have accepted the miracle of forgiving and loving their enemies. There is great hope in the miracle of forgiveness.
• Some of the countless suffering people in our society have united their sufferings with the Passion and death of Jesus. Redemptive suffering can be a prelude to risen life.
We have hope, for Christ is within us (Col 1:27), and “this hope will not leave us disappointed, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us” (Rm 5:5). Face reality and dreadful circumstances, then “rejoice in hope, be patient under trial, persevere in prayer” (Rm 12:12).
Prayer: Father, make me realistic and extremely joyful.
Promise: "He satisfied the longing soul and filled the hungry soul with good things." —Ps 107:9
Praise: "To restore all things to Christ, in order that Christ may be all in all." Pope St. Pius X launched his pontificate with this motto. By all accounts, he accomplished his mission, as he renewed appreciation of the liturgy and the Eucharist.
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