The powerful line in the first reading from Ezekiel is not only a prophetic statement but a profound promise. “I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Yes, the Lord is our God, and we are blessed to be His people. We are the people of God – what a proclamation and what a calling! How are we responding to this calling if we are God’s people? The Gospel Acclamation provides the direction as it beckons us to cast away any and all sins we have committed. It calls us to repentance, and we must make our hearts and spirits new. It commits us to recreate ourselves in a way that is pleasing to God.
The Gospel recounts how the Pharisees and chief priests convened the Sanhedrin, which panicked, believing Jesus was a threat to their nation’s power. They were aware of the growing multitude who believed in this man performing miracles, whose words delivered a message of unsurmountable love and hope of God to their hearts.
As we approach Holy Week, we look first to the recollection of Palm Sunday when Jesus rode on a colt in Jerusalem, and the people honored him as a hero. However, as we know, it would be for naught because Jesus would be betrayed. As we walk these days toward the Triduum, we are called to walk to Calvary with Jesus. This walk is painful – we must be brave, steadfast, and focused on our belief that it is Jesus who redeemed us. It is Jesus who paid the price for our sins. It is Jesus who gives us the assurance of life eternal in Heaven.
Let us repent, denounce sin and evil, and surrender ourselves to our God, enabling the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to be with him forever.
Let Us Pray:
Merciful Father, thank you for the gift of faith – I believe you are my one and only God. And that I belong to you! Forgive me for all my failings, my sins, and for those times I have failed to trust your will. Touch my heart with your cleansing love and open my heart completely to you and to all your people. Help me be your light to any darkness in our world, and always remember that nothing is impossible if I believe in you. Amen.
