Friday of week 20 in Ordinary Time
Rose of Lima (Memorial)
Ezekiel 37:1-14
Psalm 106(107):2-9
Matthew 22:34-40
In today’s first reading, we are presented with Ezekiel’s prophetic vision of the revitalization of lifeless bones, symbolizing the restoration of hope and renewal. This prompts contemplation on the pervasive impact of conflicts and desolation, invoking imagery of the bereft and the casualties of violence.
When we think of the wars in Gaza and Ukraine and all sorts of conflicts of which we are unaware, it doesn’t take much imagination to imagine fields filled with the bones of so many, too many, dead. We can also imagine the bones of all victims of violence. And we can go even further and imagine so many people feeling dead inside, worn down by poverty or oppression or simply despair.
Significantly, Jesus’ teaching emphasizes the primacy of love for the divine and one’s fellow beings as the cornerstone of virtuous conduct and the fulfillment of moral law. This underscores the imperative for individuals to nurture hope and contribute to the betterment of society through the embodiment of love and compassion.
Fr Joseph Osho
