5th Sunday of Lent – Year A
Ezekiel 37:12-14
Vision of the Dry Bones
God promises to restore Israel to their land by bringing them back to life and giving them his spirit. They will know that he is Lord.
5th Sunday of Lent (A)
Spiritual Transformation During Lent
During this season of Lent, we reflect on the importance of repentance, forgiveness, and renewal in our lives. We strive to deepen our spiritual lives and renew our commitment to our faith. In the book of Ezekiel, we read about a vision of dry bones, which symbolizes the spiritual decay and spiritual death that can occur when we distance ourselves from God. But this vision is also a message of hope, as it reminds us that God can bring us back to life and restore us.
In Ezekiel 37:12-14, God promises to raise up his people from the dead, to bring them back to life and to give them new hope. This message of hope is particularly fitting for Lent, as we reflect on our own mortality and on our need for God’s grace and mercy.
Lent is a time for spiritual renewal, a time to turn away from sin and to turn towards God. It is a time to acknowledge our own spiritual dryness and to allow God’s Spirit to breathe new life into our souls. The season of Lent is an invitation to come out of our graves, to rise up from the ashes of our past failures and sins, and to receive God’s forgiveness and healing.
This Lenten season, let us open ourselves up to God’s Spirit, so that we may experience the resurrection power of Christ in our lives. God promises to revive our souls, to renew our spirits, and to restore us to fullness of life. All we need to do is to place our trust in him and to allow him to work in us.
May we take time this Lent to reflect on our own spiritual dryness and to ask God to fill us with his Spirit. May we always remember that, no matter how dry and lifeless our lives may seem at times, God’s Spirit can always breathe new life into us.
5th Sunday of Lent (A)
Hope for a New Life with God
The valley of dry bones symbolizes the hopelessness and despair we can experience in our lives. We may feel like there is no purpose to our existence or that the situations we face are impossible to overcome. However, just as God breathed life into the bones, he can also breathe life into our lives.
Sometimes it can feel like we are fighting a losing battle. Our own efforts can only take us so far, but when we turn to God, we tap into a power that is greater than ourselves. It is through him that we can find the hope to persevere in the face of adversity.
We can find hope by looking to the future with faith. The scripture says that God will put his Spirit in us, and we will live. Our focus should not solely be on the present situation, but on the future that we are working towards. We have the promise of eternal life with God, and this gives us a reason to have hope in the face of despair.
5th Sunday of Lent (A)
A Renewed Spirit for Troubled Marriages
Marriages fall apart for a variety of reasons. Perhaps it is a lack of communication, a lack of trust, or simply growing apart over time. Whatever the reasons, the result is the same: two people who once loved each other deeply are left feeling hurt, alone, and adrift. But it is precisely in these moments of brokenness that God’s love is most powerful. It is when we feel most lost, most alone, that God reaches out to us with his healing touch.
In Ezekiel’s vision, God breathes new life into a valley of dry bones. He transforms the desolate wasteland into a thriving community, filled with the joy of the Lord. And in the same way, God can breathe new life into our broken relationships. He can take what seems like a barren wasteland and turn it into a garden of hope.
But this transformation is not automatic. It requires our willingness to surrender to God’s will, to submit our brokenness to his healing touch. It requires us to let go of our hurt and bitterness, to forgive as we have been forgiven. It requires a commitment to communication, to honesty, and to mutual respect. In short, it requires us to put God at the center of our relationships, to trust in him to guide us through the storms of life.
For those of you who are struggling with a troubled marriage, don’t give up hope. Remember the words of Ezekiel: “I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land.” God has not abandoned you. He is with you always, ready to breathe new life into your relationship.
John Bergsma
5th Sunday of Lent (A)
Embracing Diversity, Renewing Hope
When we look at the valley of dry bones, we see a scene of vast diversity. Each bone represents an individual, unique in its shape and size. Likewise, the people in our society are diverse, with different backgrounds, cultures, and ways of thinking. Each one has value and brings something special to the table.
Unfortunately, our society is not always welcoming to this diversity. Many people feel excluded or overlooked because of their differences, whether it be their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or anything else. This exclusion can lead to feelings of isolation, sadness, and even despair.
But as we see in Ezekiel’s vision, this need not be the case. God’s power can bring life to even the driest bones. When we embrace diversity and include everyone, regardless of our differences, we too can create a more vital and hopeful society. Just as God breathed life into the bones, we can breathe life into our communities by welcoming everyone, no matter what makes them unique.
5th Sunday of Lent (A)
Serving and Bringing Life Through Work
As we engage in our daily work, we can often become disheartened and feel as though we are just going through the motions. We may feel as though we are nothing more than dry bones, with no life or vitality. However, just as God breathed life into the dead bones of the Israelites, He also has the power to breathe life into our work.
We must never forget that our work is a gift from God, and it is through our work that we serve others and fulfill our purpose in life. When we approach our work with a sense of purpose and dedication, we allow God to work through us, breathing life into our work and making it more than just a mundane task.
We can also seek out opportunities to serve others through our work. By doing so, we can become like God, breathing life into the world around us and making a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve.
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Connections
5th Sunday of Lent (A)
Breathe Life Into Your Soul
Addiction is a state of spiritual death, where the person loses control over their life and surrenders to a substance or behavior that consumes them. The addiction is so powerful that it is as if the person’s bones are dry, scattered, and disconnected, and they become lifeless, hopeless, and helpless.
But the 12-step program is like the prophesy of Ezekiel, where people come together and connect, admitting their powerlessness to the addiction and seeking the help and guidance of a Higher Power. The program helps people put the scattered pieces of their lives together, one piece at a time, like the bones of Ezekiel’s prophecy.
The 12 steps provide a path to recovery, where individuals admit their mistakes, make amends, and seek to grow spiritually. This path is not easy, and sometimes it may seem impossible, but with faith and perseverance, like the breath in Ezekiel’s prophesy, people can find the breath of life necessary to stand up again and become an exceedingly great army of sober and purposeful people.
As we contemplate this message, we must remember that recovery is not only about abstinence. It is about living a life that is full of meaning, purpose, and service to others. Just as the army of Ezekiel was called to fight for justice, so too are those in recovery called to fight for their spiritual health, their loved ones, and their community.
Life Recovery Bible
5th Sunday of Lent (A)
Unlock the Power of Confession
We all know the struggle of fighting against the temptations and evils of this world. We fight against the desires of the flesh, the temptations of the devil, and the troubles of this world. But amidst all of this, we must remember that God has given us the means to overcome these challenges.
One of the most powerful weapons we have in spiritual warfare is the sacrament of confession. In confession, we acknowledge our sins and humbly ask for God’s forgiveness. We receive the grace of absolution, which frees us from the burden of our sins and strengthens us for the battles ahead.
Ezekiel’s vision reminds us that with God, all things are possible. In confession, we experience the power of God’s love and mercy in a very real way. We are restored, renewed, and refreshed, as if coming back to life again.
But we must also remember that confession is only effective when we approach it with sincerity and humility. We must confess our sins honestly, without holding anything back. We must own up to our faults and take responsibility for our actions.
5th Sunday of Lent (A)
Recognizing God’s ownership and using our resources, skills, and abilities for his purposes
Reclaim Your Financial Rebirth
Ezekiel 37:12-14 relates to our financial lives. Many of us have experienced financial struggles, whether it be from debts, low wages, or unpredictable investments. It can often leave us feeling dry and hopeless, like the bones in Ezekiel’s vision. However, the good news is that just as God breathed life into those dry bones and restored them to health, He can breathe new life into our financial situation.
As stewards of our money, we must have faith in God and take practical steps towards managing our money wisely. We must learn to make good financial decisions like living within our means, saving for the future, and seeking wise counsel from professionals who can help us make better financial decisions.
One important aspect of stewardship is managing our debts. We can become overwhelmed with debt and feel like we will never get out from under it. However, with hard work and dedication, it is possible to overcome debt and restore our financial health. We can take practical steps like budgeting, reducing expenses, and seeking advice from credit counselors. God’s restoration is possible even in our finances, but it requires our willingness to take action and make the necessary changes.
Finally, stewardship also includes making wise investments. We have a responsibility to use our resources wisely and to invest in things that promote the greater good. This might mean investing in socially responsible companies, supporting ethical businesses, or giving back to our communities.
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5th Sunday of Lent (A)
Prayers for Wholeness and Healing
Depression is a very real affliction that affects millions of people, including many teenagers. It is a condition that can be caused by a number of factors, including genetics, environment, and life circumstances. It can impact a person’s mood, energy, sleep, appetite, and overall sense of well-being. It can make them feel isolated and disconnected from the world around them. It can make them feel like they are in a dark, hopeless place, with no way out.
But the good news is that there is a way out. There is hope, and it comes from God. Just as God promised to restore the Israelites from their captivity and bring them back to their land, he promises to restore us from the captivity of depression and bring us back to the land of the living.
In the passage we heard today, God says, “I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it.”
God’s Spirit is the source of our hope and our healing. It is the power that can break the chains of depression and set us free. The Spirit of God is the same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, and it can raise us up, too. It can give us new life, new energy, and new purpose.
But we have to ask for it. We have to pray for it. We have to seek it with an open heart and a humble spirit. We have to reach out for the help that we need, whether it is from God, from friends, from family, or from professionals.
Depression is not a sign of weakness or failure. It is a condition that needs to be treated with care and compassion. We need to be patient with ourselves and with others who are struggling with it. We need to show love and understanding, and we need to encourage one another to keep pressing forward, even when the road is hard.
5th Sunday of Lent (A)
Bridging the Divide: A New Life Awaits
We live in a time where there is a growing culture war fueled by differences in political and social ideology. It seems like people are divided into two camps, and there is little room for understanding or cooperation between the two. In times like these, we can turn to the Scriptures for guidance and encouragement.
Today’s reading from the book of Ezekiel offers us a message of hope and restoration. The prophet Ezekiel had a vision in which he saw a valley full of dry bones. These bones represented the people of Israel who were separated from God and lifeless. But, through the power of God, the bones came to life, and God breathed new life into them.
This vision speaks to us today because it reminds us that no matter how hopeless or divided we may feel, God has the power to bring new life and restore what seems lost. In the midst of the culture wars and political divide, we can feel like we are just a pile of bones, disconnected from one another and from God’s love. But, like the people of Israel, we too can experience a resurrection of sorts – a renewed spiritual vitality that can transform us and our communities.
However, this renewal requires us to be open to God’s grace and to one another. We need to resist being separated by political or social lines and instead seek out the common values that unite us, such as love, justice, and compassion. It also requires us to humble ourselves before God, recognizing our reliance on God’s power to bring the healing and renewal we long for.
We cannot expect to fix our broken world through human effort alone, nor can we rely on our own interpretation of the truth. Instead, we must turn to the Good News of Christ, who offers us a new way of living and loving. We can become a people who are driven not by fear or division, but by the grace and love of God.
5th Sunday of Lent (A)
God Can Save Us from the Culture of Death
The prophet Ezekiel in our first reading today speaks of a prophesy he received from God. In this vision that he received, he found himself in a valley of dry bones. These bones, lifeless and scattered, represented the Israelites who had been exiled and scattered throughout the world, without hope or future. But God promised to breathe life back into these bones and resurrect them, bringing them back to their land and giving them new life.
Today we celebrate the great gift of life that we have been given by God. We know that life is a precious gift, and that it is our duty to cherish and protect it, from conception until natural death.
Unfortunately, in our world today, there are many forces that work against this gift of life. Pope John Paul II referred to this as the “culture of death.” This culture threatens life in many ways, from abortion to euthanasia, from war and violence to poverty and inequality.
We see evidence of this culture of death all around us. The headlines are filled with stories of senseless violence, of poverty and desperation, of refugees fleeing war and persecution. In our homes and communities, we face challenges of addiction, mental illness, and loneliness.
But the prophet Ezekiel reminds us that God is stronger than death, that God can breathe new life into the driest bones, that God can gather us together and make us whole again. “I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live,” God says. “I will bring you back to the land of the living.”
In other words, even in the midst of this darkness, we have hope. We know that God is a God of life, who desires nothing more than to bring us back to life, to heal and renew us, and to bring us back into relationship with Him.
So let us take inspiration from the words of Ezekiel, and trust in the God who can bring life out of death, who can breathe new life into even the driest bones. let us heed the prophet’s call and embrace the life-giving spirit of God. Let us work together to build a culture of life, in which every human being is cherished and protected, in which all creation is respected and cherished. Let us be the bearers of hope and the messengers of peace, in a world that longs for healing and unity.