"Streaming to the LORD’s Redemption"

Today's Mass Readings

It may not seem obvious, but the underlying theme of today’s readings is restoration and unity. We draw this conclusion from statements in each of the readings. Thus, Ezekiel 37:24 says, “My servant David shall be prince over them, and there shall be one shepherd for them all.” In the gospel reading, Caiaphas the high priest prophesies, “You know nothing, nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man [Jesus] should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish’ (Jn 11:49-50). John adds, “He did not say this on his own, but since he was high priest for that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not only for the nation, but also to gather into one the dispersed children of God. The context for Ezekiel’s prophecy is that immediately after Solomon’s rule (968-922 BC), the Kingdom of Israel was divided into two. The Northern Kingdom was called Israel with Samaria as its capital and the Southern Kingdom was named Judah with Jerusalem as it’s capital. Both these kingdoms were ultimately unfaithful to their Covenant with God. As a result, Israel was destroyed by the Assyrians in 722 BC and Judah was ravaged by the Babylonians in 587 BC. Ezekiel’s prophecy in today’s reading promises the restoration of the exiled people. God’s promise to them is that the restored nation will be faithful to the Covenant and unified. This prophecy was fulfilled when in 537 the Persian king Cyrus sent the Babylonian exiles back to their land and the Temple was rebuilt.

As far as the gospel reading is concerned, Caiaphas the high priest wishes that the nation be united and restored, but his motive is selfish. Notice the cynicism in his words when he talks about the death of Jesus. Scripture scholars tell us that his concern was neither for right or wrong nor for the nation of Israel as a whole, but rather, for his own position and for the privileged priestly class. Rather one man die, however innocent, than the whole nation perish. How convenient! Ironically, Jesus, who was sent by God to restore Israel was himself being rejected by the Caiaphas and the Jewish priestly class under the pretence of the very restoration and unity they were touting. What a tragedy!

Lent is a time of restoration, unity and healing, both for us individually and for the Church. As Holy Week approaches we must yearn for God’s promise of healing, peace, redemption, and restoration. There are two ways to accomplish this. First we must make it to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and reconcile ourselves with God (restoration) and others (unity). Second, during Holy Week let us try to make it Eucharist each day and unite ourselves with the passion and suffering of Jesus. In that union (unity) we will find our own restoration and indeed our own salvation (restoration).