Ordinary Time

Pause

“Breathe on me, Breath of God,
fill me with life anew,
that I may love the way you love,
and do what you would do.”

Edwin Hatch, “Breathe on me, Breath of God,” 1878

Listen

He said to me, “Human one, these bones are the entire house of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope has perished. We are completely finished.’ So now, prophesy and say to them, The Lord God proclaims: I’m opening your graves! I will raise you up from your graves, my people, and I will bring you to Israel’s fertile land. You will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and raise you up from your graves, my people. I will put my breath in you, and you will live. I will plant you on your fertile land, and you will know that I am the Lord. I’ve spoken, and I will do it. This is what the Lord says.”

Ezekiel 37:11-14

Think

We’ve been reading about this valley of dry bones for a few days now. God describes the dry bones as belonging to the children of God. The children are feeling dried up and hopeless, wanting to give up. Can you recall an experience in your own life when you witnessed hopelessness? Maybe you’ve seen it in the halls of your school or in the streets of your community. Maybe you’ve heard it on the news.

The words from Ezekiel remind us that in places of death and despair, God breaks in and brings new life. God sent Ezekiel to reassure and comfort God’s people, to bring the message to the people that God would open up their graves and bring them new life.

God also calls us to do that breaking in! When we encounter hatred, we can take a stand for justice and love.

When has God sent you or someone you know to bring a message of hope and life? How have you experienced God’s love and hope breaking in to your life?

Katie Cashwell

Pray

Holy God, I breathe in your love, and I breathe out your love to others. Be with me this day. Amen.

Go

“Spirit, spirit of gentleness,
Blow through the wilderness, calling and free.
Spirit, spirit of restlessness,
Stir me from placidness, Wind, wind on the sea.”

James K. Manley, "Spirit,” 1978