It is about to happen

The readings today, on the last day before Holy Week, are full of expectation.

The first reading (Ezekiel 37:21-28) overflows with prophecies of messianic salvation: unity, deliverance from sin, harmony, peace, and the intimate presence of God.

It was thought by some that this prophecy would be fulfilled in a militaristic but cosmic fashion: with the superhuman Anointed One with all the power and glory of the Lord of Hosts sweeping away all evil with a single almighty blow.

That is not how it happened.

In today’s Gospel (John 11:45-56) the stage is set for the central events of God’s saving plan. The people are indeed full of expectation and the Sanhedrin deep in their evil plots.

We know what will happen, but this Holy Week we have the opportunity to experience it anew: the sorrow, the pain, the darkness, and then the light and joy – all part of God’s wonderful plan to bring us out of the slavery of this world into the eternal light and freedom of his everlasting life through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

It is an opportunity to feel more deeply the reality of God’s love and the power of his salvation and to come closer to him.

It is about to happen.

Let’s go.