Friday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Today we hear in the first reading the familiar vision of Ezekiel of the field of dry bones which the Lord brings back to life. It is a message of hope to the people of Israel in exile that their dry and withered spirits will be renewed and that they will once again dwell in their homeland. The punchline of the passage is, “O my people! I will put my spirit in you that you may live, and I will settle you upon your land…I have promised and I will do it, says the Lord” (Ez 37:14).
It is in the context of this first reading that we can see the meaning of today’s entrance antiphon: God is indeed the shield of his anointed people. He turns his face toward them to give them new life and promises to bring them back to dwell not only in their land but in the courts of his Kingdom.
The responsorial refrain is a song in praise of God’s enduring love for his people: Give thanks to the Lord; his love is everlasting (Ps 107:1). The verses of Ps 107 describe the inner transformation that Ezekiel’s vision suggests: “…their life was wasting away within them…from their straits he rescued them. And he led them by a direct way to reach an inhabited city.”
In the gospel passage from St. Matthew (22:34-40), Jesus challenges the Pharisees to move from the dead bones of adherence to the old law to a vibrant and life-giving vision of a new law that encompasses the love of God and love of neighbor.
The communion antiphon is a reminder of the new life that is given to our withered spiritual lives by the Eucharist: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord. Whoever eats of this bread will live for ever.” Jn 6:51-52.
Prayer for Today: Lord of Life, renew your Spirit within my heart. Transform my withered spiritual life with your enduring love. And help me to extend that love to all the “neighbors” I meet this day.
Reflection by Br. Michael Marcotte, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections