Friday 22^nd August – Memorial of our Lady, Mother and Queen

Reflection: Ezekiel 37: 1-14

YOU KNOW, OH LORD!

The story of Ezekiel and the dry bones is one we are familiar with. It’s a message of hope, a message of restoration, a story that reveals that there is nothing beyond the power of our almighty Father. As we find hope and strength in this passage, let us look to the prophet Ezekiel as an example of faith.

I am certain if God had asked me the same question he asked Ezekiel, my answer would be very different. Considering the situation at hand: “…they were very dry” (Ezekiel 37: 2) I would have answered in the negative because my human knowledge and senses would tell me that it is impossible for such “very dry” bones to live again. But what did the prophet answer? “You know, oh Lord” (vs 3).

How often have we written ourselves off or written people around us off because of their constant failures and seemingly irredeemable situation? Have we written our country Nigeria off as a nation that has no hope for improvement considering the present situations that plague our nation? Have we given up on certain prayers because our human senses tell us there is no way out? Dear friends, like the prophet rather than give up let us turn to God and say: “You know oh Lord” it is God who knows all things. He is a God that can transform a situation in a way that beats the human mind.

As we look at dry bones in various areas of our lives, communities and families, let us hand them over to God with complete hope and trust that He can raise an exceedingly great army from those dry bones.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, please forgive me for the times I have lost faith in you and spoken negatively about people or situations around me. Please strengthen my faith in you that I may remember always that it is you who have the final say. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: CCC 2657 – The Holy Spirit who instructs us to celebrate the liturgy in expectation of Christ’s return teaches us to pray in hope. Conversely, the prayer of the Church and personal prayer nourish hope in us…

HIDE A TREASURE: “With God nothing is impossible” Luke 1: 38 CCB

Readings for today: Ezekiel 37: 1-14; Psalm 107: 2-9; Matthew 22: 34-40