Friday of the 20th week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Ezekiel 37:1-14, Psalm 107 and Matthew 22:34-40
“Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.” (Ezekiel 37:4)
At what point can you say “God no longer cares for me?” At what point can you say “my sins are too much and I don’t deserve God’s love anymore?” At what point can you say “there is no need making efforts to be a good person?” . . . No matter how bad things may have been, no matter how great your sins may have been, it is never too late for God. This is moral of today’s first reading from the book of Ezekiel.
Your bones may have been dead completely. You may have lost all hope. You may have given up on every attempt to repent from certain things you know God is not pleased with, but the truth my dear friend is that God still cares! His love is everlasting!
Lazarus was dead for four days but when Jesus showed up, he proved that for God, there is nothing like “too late.” Ezekiel’s prophecy of the dry bones shows us that there can be dead cases as far as our life is concerned. We can always change; there is always a room for repentance. We can never be too old to start learning again. Why is it that it can never be too late for God?
Sing: The Steadfast Love of the Lord never ceaseth. His mercies endure forever. They are new every morning, new every morning. Great is thy faithfulness O Lord, Great is thy faithfulness.
God has written his laws in our hearts, whether or not we are Christians, we know what is right and wrong. As long as we strive to love God with all our hearts, with our entire mind and with all our strength, we would keep our part of the bargain and by loving our neighbour as ourselves; we would make the world a better place. Where there is love, there is God and if love for God and neighbour drives your daily actions, you would easily avoid sin.
God has given us his commandments, our ability to keep them depends on how much we love and respect him. St. Augustine once said: O GOD, YOU HAVE MADE US FOR YOURSELF, OUR HEARTS ARE RESTLESS UNTIL THEY REST IN YOU. You may have been looking for happiness in the world but there is a quicker way now. Reciprocate the love that God has shown to you. Begin today to live right and do right. Forget the past and repent.
Let us pray: Create in me a pure heart, Oh God and renew your spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence O Lord and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you.