Ezekiel 36:16—28
In this reading from the prophet Ezekiel, the Lord speaks to him about Israel defiling the land with their conduct and deeds. I look at the world we live in today and we aren’t any different. We also defile this land that the Lord has given us. We murder, we steal, we defame, we do all kinds of terrible things to each other, which defiles us as a people, defiles our nation, makes us an abomination in the eyes of God. And what we do to the least of us, we do to Christ. It’s a sobering thought.
But, despite our behavior, God’s love for us is still immeasurable. We are His people, His bride, and we comprise His body. He cleaves to us, just as a man leaves his parents to cleave to his wife. God fulfils His promise to sprinkle water and make us clean. Through baptism, He marks us as His own, placing an indelible mark on our souls. He replaces our hearts with new hearts and puts a new spirit in us. All we have to do is let Him. Can we do that? Let God make you new. Let Him refresh your spirit and breathe new life into you. This renewal could happen at every Mass.
Yes, we should definitely renew our baptismal promises to Him this Easter. Renounce Satan and all his empty works. Let God know that we are His, even though we are not worthy; He knows that we fall, and He invites us to repent. Let us return love for Love this year. Pray earnestly for your own renewal and that of others. The Lord is patiently waiting for your response, but don’t delay. We don’t know the time or the season when the Lord will return. It’s better to be prepared, our lamps full of oil. Please, do it today. Let God renew you. The hard work is already done. Jesus has died on the cross and risen today. The gift of salvation is possible and all we need to do is accept it. That’s what we’re doing when we allow God to breathe new life into us. Afterward, we see things and people differently, therefore our responses will be different. This is how we get there, together, as His people. May our Risen Lord bless you abundantly this Easter.
Ms. Renee Valenzuela, OP
May the Lord bless you abundantly as well.