FIFTH WEEK OF LENT 23

27 MARCH – 01 APRIL 2023: HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS 27 MARCH 2023: DAN 13. 41-62; JOHN 8. 1-11 Pivot: Justice and mercy meet! Indicative: In a world where justice and mercy are rapidly diminishing, God stands before us and for us as a model of justice and mercy 1.      Today’s word of God presents before us a God who is ever just and merciful, especially concerning the innocent and victims of injustice and discrimination. In the first reading, it is the innocent Susanna, and in the gospel, it is the condemned adulterous woman 2.      The innocent and the despised may go through suffering and adversity for a while. They may face insult and torture. Everything may look lost and gone. There may not appear any ray of hope and support 3.      It is in such moments God intervenes and acts at His appointed time. Both stories have touching lessons and assurance of God’s abiding compassion and mercy. We may be tested but never abandoned and left to be destroyed. God never despises even the worst sinner 4.      In the light of and in response to this ever-abiding justice and mercy of God, we can draw some directives for our life. They are namely, purity of intention, the principle of justice and fairness, the principle of honesty and self-critique and unfailing trust and surrender to God 5.      Purity of intention: this was what was lacking in the two corrupt judges who made false accusations against Susanna. Their intentions were polluted and perverted. They were led by sexual impulse. Similarly, the intentions of the Jews who caught the woman in adultery were very judgmental and condemnatory toward the sinful woman. They were also cunningly treacherous toward Jesus to trap him in a legal and religious controversy 6.      Principle of justice and fairness: the corrupt judges totally failed in justice and fairness. For the sake of their own gratifying desires, they would victimise so unfairly an innocent and God-fearing woman Susanna. The Jews too were so unjust. Their concern apparently was adherence to the law. But really it was to show themselves righteous. They were also highly discriminating, completely leaving out the man involved in adultery 7.      Principle of honesty and self-critique: The challenge of Jesus, “Let anyone who has no sin, throw the first stone,” is a strong call for self-critique. Why accuse others for a speck in their eye without bothering about the log in one’s own eye? 8.      Unfailing trust and surrender: despite all the odds and discouraging situations, we shall never lose our heart and hope. We must trust deeply in the unfailing love of God for us. We must also believe that He knows what is good for us, the best of it and when and how to do it. Therefore, the best thing is to surrender to him without reserve always and in everything Imperative: God never despises or rejects or condemns anyone, even the worst sinner. Let this assurance impel us to confide in His mercy with genuine repentance (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2022, 04 APRIL) Focus: Truth is often contested and condemned because of false witnesses and wrong judgments. We need to remember that God appreciates a truthful and witnessing life   1.      In today’s word of God, the theme of witness attracts our attention. In the first reading, the innocent Susanna is falsely accused of adultery by false witnesses; but Daniel being filled with the Holy Spirit stands in her cause and bears true witness. In the gospel, Jesus speaks of himself and the Father as the two authentic witnesses in his cause. 2.      It is good to ask, often why there is false witness and judgment. In the words of Jesus, it is because people are led by the flesh and not the Spirit. It is because they know not God, neither the Father nor the Son. It is because they do not have the light of life; they do not follow the light but prefer to walk in darkness. In the similar words of Daniel in the first reading, people witness falsely and judge falsely because beauty deceives them and lust perverts their hearts. 3.      When we too do not know God, do not have and follow the light and walk in darkness, when we too think, speak and act according to the perversions of the flesh, when we do not give abide in truth and do not mind about causing harm to the other, then we too succumb to the falsity of witness and judgment. 4.      What then is the remedy to bear true witness? Like Daniel, we must be open to being filled and led by the Holy Spirit. Thus, we too can stand courageously amidst and against all the falsities. He was just a young lad but stood up because he was with God. He did not feel intimidated to raise a lone voice against the judges, men in authority. He could challenge and rebuke their false judgment because he was led by God and by human power. 5.      Then, unlike the unbelieving Jews, we must personally know Jesus, we must know where he comes from and where he goes. We must know and believe that he came from the Father and goes back to the Father. We must believe that the Father and the Son are one; they bear witness to each other. Further, we must follow Jesus who is the light of the world.   Direction: In times of desperation and crisis, Susanna did not give up hope. She did not question God, nor was she shaken in her faith. She totally surrendered her cause to God. God intervened and vindicated her innocence   28 MARCH 2023: NUMBERS 21. 4-9; JOHN 8. 21-30   Pivot: If you repent, God will relent Indicative: It is typical human nature to waver in their faith and commitment in the face of any slight difficulty. But on God’s part, He is ever faithful and merciful   1.      Ficklemindedness characterises the Israelites. All their gratitude and fidelity shake and crumble at the very instance of any adversity. All the remembrance and praise of God vanish when met with some discomfort and inconvenience. They become annoyed and impatient and are led to grumbling, complaining and blaming God and His leaders 2.      The Jews in the gospel oppose Jesus and the cause is very clear. They belong to the world and what is below. They become blind to the kingdom and the above. This concretely leads them to blind themselves to the identity and mission of Jesus. They fail to see him as intrinsically united with the Father 3.      Jesus’ identity is the same as the Father’s. This is indicated by his twice-affirmation, “I am”. This term recalls the scene of the “burning bush” where God reveals His identity to Moses, “I am who am” 4.      This failure to recognise Jesus’ identity also leads them to the failure to recognise his mission. Jesus’ mission is nothing but doing God’s will and doing what is pleasing to the Father. In this sense, sin is not just something religious or moral. Sin is not merely failing to perform some religious duties and activities. Neither is sin merely a failure in moral adherence. Sin is deeper than this 5.      Sin is more fundamental. On one hand, sin is a fundamental failure to recognise Jesus’ identity and mission, a failure to belong to him, and a failure to belong to the above. On the other hand, it is belonging to the world and the below. It is not believing in the Lord but rejecting Him. Sin is being unstable and disloyal in faith in God. It is turning ungrateful and falling into a spirit of impatient blaming   Imperative: We will do well to “liberate” our concept of sin from a dominantly moralistic and legalistic vestige. Sin is essentially a matter of failure in faith in God, and faithfulness in living according to Him   (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2022, 05 APRIL)   Focus: Many consider faith only a matter of religion and spirituality. Consequently, they reduce it to the practice of some religious activities or believing some doctrines and traditions. But true faith is a matter of relationship and faithfulness to God   1.      “Unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins”, so says Jesus to the Jews in the gospel. This would mean that only faith in him will save them from their sins. But what is this faith that they lack? How is it seen? We see so many signs of lack of faith in both readings 2.       To lack faith is to forget God’s blessings and great favours in our life. The Hebrews, on their way to the Promised Land completely forget the mighty deeds of God during their Egyptian slavery. Subsequently, they become ungrateful and start blaming Moses and God 3.      They forget how God saved them from dying experiences and kept them alive. They conveniently forget how God led them through the Red sea, how He continued to sustain them with water from the rock and Manna from heaven. But they protest to Moses, “Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food”. Ingratitude and the spirit of complaining and grumbling is another clear sign of a lack of faith 4.       Lack of faith also implies wrong judgment and valuation. The Hebrews regard manna which is God’s own food from heaven as loathsome and worthless food but crave those onions, garlic, and meat, the food of slavery as something desirable and delicious 5.       In the light of the gospel, lack of faith essentially means to be of this world and to be below. For Jesus tells the unbelieving Jews that they do not believe him because “you are from below, I am from above. You are of this world, I am not of this world” 6.       What to do then? How to grow from lack of faith to true faith? Realise our sinfulness and repent for our wrongdoing, as the Hebrews did. Look up to Jesus. Raise our sight and be focused on him, just as all those dead bitten by serpents looked up to the bronze serpent and came back to life. Rise from what is below and worldly. Do not belong and cling to the standards and ways of the world.   Direction: Our faith will be true only when we raise ourselves from this world and belong to God. This concretely manifests itself in doing always the things that are pleasing to God, as Jesus did   (REFLECTION 3 FROM 2021, 23 MARCH)   Focus: To sin may be part of human frailty. But repentance and focus on God will certainly win God's forgiveness and healing   1.       Jesus is united with the Father. He is sent from the Father, listens to Him, and does what pleases Him. But the people do not believe in him and they reject him. The reason is a total contrast between him and the people: he is from above but they are from below; he belongs to God but they belong to the world 2.       This is the same case with regard to the Israelites. They are so earth-bound. Their main botheration in the desert was food and drink, and that too rich and varied. They forget all their misery of slavery in Egypt. They forget the mighty works of God 3.       They even lose sight of the greatest act of liberation, the Exodus. They don’t realise how benevolently God provides them with food from heaven even in the desert. They don’t value and appreciate God’s manifold blessings. They turn ungrateful, grumbling, and blaming. They blame Moses and God as if they liberated the people from Egypt for dying in the wilderness. They call manna a loathsome worthless food 4.       This is all because their perspective, their concerns were in contrast to God’s. Thus, those who are caught up with the world and remain immersed in it will fail in their faith and goodness. They become blind to God and others 5.       So they will die in their own sin. However, if they repent and seek God’s mercy, they would be forgiven and saved, like the Israelites. Yes, those who raise themselves out of the grip of the world, and remain focused on the Lord, will gain eternal life.   Direction: As long as one does not realize one's sinfulness and refuses to accept it and repent for it, one will not receive God's forgiveness and will not change their lives   29 MARCH 2023: DANIEL 3. 14-20, 24-25, 28; JOHN 8. 31-42   Pivot: Trust during the test! Indicative: Tests and trials are bound to happen. We will be pressed by hardships and pressured to escape them and thus defect from truth and commitment. What should be our response?   1.      Freedom is everyone’s craving and search. In itself, it is not wrong. But the problem is often it is a false freedom. It is a false freedom because it is against truth. it shelters itself in sin. It is false also because its effects are slavery and ruin 2.      Ironically, freedom thus becomes slavery to sin. Today many mistake freedom with the licence for every pleasure and gratification. Accordingly, the licence to do whatever I like and prefer has become the criterion for freedom. And the criterion to decide good is temporary gratification and pleasure 3.      In this process and pursuit of false freedom with these wrong criteria, the whole spirit of morality and spirituality is despised and even discarded. It is in this context, the word of God “restores” the true sense of freedom 4.      In the light of the three young men, namely Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who freely choose death over disloyalty to the true God, we are taught that true freedom is a choice in fidelity to what is right 5.      Even though they were “free” to denounce and renounce their true God, even though they were under the fear of death, still they persevered in their true faith. They preferred to suffer physical death but gain eternal life. They preferred to bear temporal punishment but receive an imperishable reward 6.      Jesus once again clarifies what true freedom is and the way to attain and experience it. “Know the truth and then you will be true”. This implies two aspects:  one, know and believe the Son and abide in his word and become his disciples 7.      Secondly, know also the truth about ourselves. The truth is that we are the children of God and not Satan. We cannot be slaves to sin   Imperative: Freedom cannot be divorced from truth. To be free is to be true and truthful. And to be truthful is to be faithful and authentic   (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2022, 06 APRIL)   Focus: Many seek freedom and it is natural and needed. But they should realise what true freedom is. They should know how to attain it. They should also follow the right means to get it   1.      Freedom is a strong theme for our reflection today. In the first reading from Daniel, three youngsters Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego lose their freedom. They are thrown into the fire because they refuse to worship false gods. They prefer death rather than disloyalty to their true God. They prefer to forfeit their temporary freedom rather than lose their dignity as God’s children. They prefer slavery for the sake of faith rather than slavery to sin 2.       Many think they are free because they have free access to many things and pleasures of the world. As they have the freedom to use or abuse as they like, they imagine themselves to be free beings. Thus, they equate licentiousness and self-indulgence with freedom. But actually, this is nothing but slavery to evil. This is what Jesus clearly teaches: Whoever commits sin is a slave to sin and is not free 3.       Any freedom to do wrong is only false freedom. Any freedom that does not lead and contribute to good and positive is not true freedom. Therefore, freedom is tested by truth. Freedom is true when it abides in truth and promotes truth. Any freedom that endangers truth and indulges in falsity is not freedom but only slavery 4.       That is why Jesus asserts: Know the truth and truth will make you free. The three youngsters knew the truth. They knew that only true God is the highest priority and only obedience to Him is the highest duty. They knew that serving the king or the false gods may bring temporary relief and freedom but it will cause eternal loss and damnation. They were ready to be burnt in the natural fire rather than the fire of hell. They were truthful and faithful to their faith. That is why God miraculously sets them free 5.       On the contrary, the Jews do not see the truth, do not accept it, and follow it. They do not recognise the truth of Jesus, his identity as the Son of God and the Messiah. They do not accept the truth proclaimed by Jesus. They do not realise the truth about their sinfulness and unfaithfulness. They do not realise that Jesus himself is the truth that sets us free. They fail to repent and believe. They fail to live truthful and authentic lives. Instead, they are steeped in hypocrisy.   Direction: We need to constantly reflect and see whether the freedom that we passionately seek and fight for is really making us free people who are not enslaved to sin. Freedom opposed to truth is only false.   (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2021, 24 MARCH)   Focus: Goodwill always is assaulted by evil and will be forced to default and defect. But faith, perseverance, and fidelity will sustain the good.   1.      In the first reading from Daniel, the three youngsters Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego defy the order of the king to worship the false god. They remain faithful to the true God. They know the truth and they continue free to serve the true God. They prefer to obey God rather than please the king. They prefer temporary persecution to eternal damnation. They remain as obedient but free children of God rather than enslaved children of sin. They prefer to die so that they can gain eternal life. No threat, no fear, no force, and no pressure can shake their faith 2.      On the contrary, in the gospel, the Jews fail to know the Truth, Jesus himself. They become blind to recognise his identity, by their shallow following of the laws and traditions. They become slaves of sin. They reject Jesus, the supreme giver, and perfecter of all law. They lose the precious gift of freedom, offered by him 3.      This is what happens in the case of anyone who is blind to the truth and led by false ways of the world and shallow practices. Any rejection of truth is falsity. Any falsity is sin and every sin is enslavement. And every enslavement takes away real freedom 4.      But we know freedom is the deepest craving and priced treasure of every human, and everyone seeks it. Nothing in the world can substitute true freedom. When there is no true freedom, there will be no meaning, no value, no dignity, and no deep joy in life 5.      Faith alone gives that inner sight to see and follow the truth. What the three young men had was this faith, and what the Jews lacked was this same faith. Consequently, the three young men were rescued and freed. They become worthy of eternal life. But the unbelieving Jews continue enslaved. They stand condemned and lose eternal life.   Direction: Many are externally free, in the sense that they are free to do anything of their choice and preference. But little do they realize that any slavery to sin is an only false freedom   30 MARCH 2023: GENESIS 17. 3-9; JOHN 8. 51-59   Pivot: Covenant with commitment! Indicative: The fact of our human existence and life is that we belong to God. We will live in full measures now and later forever to the extent we live in this relation of belongingness   1.      The beauty of our vocation is to belong always and entirely to God so that He is OUR God and we are HIS people. In fact, this is our identity as well. It is in this belonging to God, lies one’s vocation and identity, be it the Israelites, leaders, the prophets, the apostles and every disciple of Christ 2.      This identity and vocation find their concrete expression in a dynamic relationship with God. This dynamic process is termed a “covenant” in the biblical context. Some of the essential traits of this covenant are mentioned in both readings 3.      Covenant in the first place invites us to enter into a relationship with God. It is a loving and faithful relationship. This covenant brings radical changes in the one who enters into the covenant. Life changes and person changes. This is symbolised in the figure of Abraham 4.      First of all, the name changes, from Abram to Abraham. It is not something merely technical but change of identity itself. Abraham becomes the “father” of all nations. He no more remain as an individual of a particular tribe or nation but now he “fathers’ all. He cuts across the boundaries 5.      New criteria are set up. It is a universal family, for which only belonging and fidelity to God and his covenant becomes the fundamental norm. Thereby, he becomes “fertile”, as he begets many children. It is no more physical fertility and posterity. It is the spiritual fecundity   Imperative: Like Abraham, we too are invited to find our identity, meaning and fulfillment of life in a covenantal relationship with God. We are called to become more “productive” and “universal”   (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2022, 07 APRIL)   Focus: As long as we think only from a human and earthly perspective and run after worldly pursuits, we will not understand God’s ways and cannot be faithful to Him   1.      Abraham figures in both the readings of the day. In the first reading from Genesis, God encounters Abram and makes promises to him and a covenant with him. Thereby, his name changes his whole life changes. He becomes Abraham, the father of a son in old age, the father of many nations, and a blessing for many. He becomes a father and model of faith 2.       In the gospel, Jesus says that Abraham saw him and was glad because he is before Abraham was. This is something crazy about history because Abraham and Jesus belong to two epochs. Clearly, Jesus was referring to his pre-existence, his identity of eternity as the Son of God 3.       He was speaking from a divine perspective. Naturally, the Jews would not understand it because their perspective and realm of thinking are different. They think and see things and Jesus from a mere earthly and human perspective 4.       This is the same divine, eternal perspective with which Jesus declares, “If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death”. Clearly, he was not speaking of natural physical death. What he meant was that believing and following his word will bring eternal life. In other words, faith gives eternity. In this sense, Abraham lives eternally because he had faith in God 5.       This is the problem with many. They claim to have faith but their perspective and realm are merely earthly and human. They think in worldly terms. The only antidote for this is to imitate Jesus. Like Jesus, we should always try to glorify God and not ourselves. We must know Him and keep His word 6.       Such an imitation will prevent us from misunderstanding others acting wrongly towards them as the Jews did. They did not understand what Jesus meant. They mistake his union with the Father as blasphemy. They become furious. They pick up stones to throw at him. This cautions us that we must not easily resent and oppose others just because they think and act differently.   Direction: We must value and appreciate others, not on the basis of how much they fit into our thinking and judging. Rather it should be on the basis of their authenticity and integrity   31 MARCH 2023: JEREMIAH 20. 10-13; JOHN 10. 31-42   Pivot: God – my mighty champion! Indicative: When we sincerely try to be just and committed, surely we will face opposition and persecution. But we need to be deeply convinced and surrendered   1.      We find a lot of shallowness and non-committal attitude in the present world. In such a world, people who try to be deep and live faithful to the way of the Lord will certainly be resented, resisted and even persecuted 2.      This is what happened to both the prophet Jeremiah in the first reading and Jesus in the gospel. Both convincingly proclaimed their profound affinity to God. Jesus explicitly attests his divine identity and oneness with the Father: “Father is in me and I am in the Father; We are one” 3.      Further, both the prophet and Jesus confront, challenge and rebuke the unfaithful and obstinate leanings of the people. All the more, there was something more that was really pricking their opponents 4.      It was their authenticity of them that was indirectly poking the opponents and pricking their consciences. In the case of the prophet, it was his unflinching zeal and unswerving loyalty. In the case of Jesus, it was his own works of healing 5.      Hence the rejection and persecution. But what is remarkable is their spirit of total surrender and unshaken perseverance. They are neither dissipated nor do they give up their mission. They continue. They do not nurture animosity. They do not plan revenge and retaliation. Instead, they make an act of total surrender to God. They leave the entire course of action to God because He is the best God   Imperative: When we face adversities and afflictions, especially for the sake of God and good, what is our reaction and course of action? Do we persevere and surrender to God? Or do we become frustrated and agitated?   (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2022, 08 APRIL)   Focus: In everyone’s life suffering is bound to come. Especially, the life of a true believer in God and follower of Christ will have to face many problems for the sake of his faith. What will be his response and reaction?   1.      Good and godly people suffer. This is an obvious fact. In today’s readings, we find this in the case of prophet Jeremiah and Jesus. Both face opposition, rejection, persecution, and condemnation. Both stand in the face of death, becoming victims of plots to kill them 2.      It is not a punishment. It is the price they had to pay for their loyalty and commitment. It is the cost of their conviction and authenticity. Few things always stand out in them. One is their total communion with God. That is why Jesus would declare, “the Father is in me and I am in the Father” 3.      Second, even in their greatest desperation, they felt this total belonging to God. They do not lose heart. They are not shaken in their faith. Jesus was convinced that Father is always on his side and will never abandon him. The Father will be his guide and strength and surely will glorify him. Jeremiah too was convinced, saying, “The Lord is with me as a dread warrior” 4.      .Third, they deeply and perseveringly hoped for God’s vindication. Jesus says that everyone will be judged according to their faith or unfaith. The prophet affirms, “My persecutors will stumble; they will not overcome me. They will be greatly ashamed, for they will not succeed. They will be eternally dishonoured… The Lord will deliver the life of the needy from the hand of evildoers” 5.      They surrendered themselves totally to God. They accept their sufferings as tests and trials for righteousness. They do not seek vengeance by themselves. Rather they commit their cause to God. They remain totally focused on their mission. Come what may, they never swerved from their commitment to the mission entrusted to them by God.   Direction: Jesus could challenge the Jews, “For which of the good works I have shown you from the Father you are going to stone me?” He was convinced because he was authentic. How many are convincingly authentic?   (REFLECTION 3 FROM 2021, 26 MARCH 2022)   Focus: Good and good people will always face adversities and will suffer a lot at the hands of evil. But those who confide in God and are convinced of good will stand firm like a rock   1.      Today’s Word of God in both the readings lays accent on the rock-like conviction and courage of prophet Jeremiah and Jesus. Jeremiah is haunted and persecuted by his own people. But he does not give up. He does not lose heart or courage. He does not also give in to negative and angry feelings of revenge and retaliation. 2.      Whether it is the reward for him for his perseverance or judgment on his enemies for their wickedness, everything he leaves into the hands of God. He surrenders everything into God’s mighty hands and just dealing, by professing “to you. O God, I have committed my cause” 3.      Jesus too suffers at the hands of his own people. Often they enter into arguments and disputes with him. They contest and challenge him, they accuse and criticise him, counter and defy him. They are totally closed and do not see his divine identity and do not accept him. They try to trap him and trouble him 4.      They refuse to listen to him and reject him. In a spirit of an earnest search, they could analyse and discover the truth in Jesus’ claims about his oneness with the Father. But instead, they take offense at his words, labelling them as blasphemy 5.      Jesus challenges their lack of discernment and grounds for finding fault with him. On what grounds, do they blame him? On what grounds do they disbelieve Jesus’ intimacy and unique relationship with the Father? How can they close their eyes not to see the mighty works of God through Jesus? 6.      How can they refuse to accept the testimony of his own works, done under the purview of God’s light and power? His own works bear testimony to his communion with the Father, and to his mission of salvation. But nothing of these – opposition, falsification, persecution could deter his spirit. He continues his mission undaunted.   Direction: Jesus said, if you do not believe me, it is okay. But at least believe the works I do, because they themselves become the testimonies of Jesus’ unity with the Father and his total loyalty to do what the Father tells him and to please him by doing His will.   01 APRIL 2023: EZK 37. 21-28; JN 11. 45-56   Pivot: For God and for good! Indicative: When we stand for God and good, the evil forces cannot stand us. Hence they will try desperately to pull and out us down   1.      God’s promises in the Old Testament are by and large very exuberant and lavish. But we need not see them as exaggerated and empty promises like those of many politicians. Rather, we can see in those promises God’s boundless mercy and condescending generosity. It looks as if God suffers from “Short-time memory”, especially concerning the people’s sins 2.      He feels deeply sad and anguished when they become disloyal and go astray. But as soon as they repent and plead for mercy, He immediately relents and forgives them. Not only that. He promises to them much more prosperity than before 3.      There is exuberance and abundance, so much so a doubt arises, whether they will really happen, or whether there are only idealistic and wishful thinking. We need not take them as shallow non-realisable promises. Rather they indicate God’s holy design of “restoration” 4.      Some highlights of these promises are: the re-gathering and unifying of all the dispersed people of Israel. There will be no division, no conflict or fight but only unity and one nation, and one ruler. They shall be taken care by one shepherd 5.      They will be cleansed from all their defilement. That is by sin which is apostasy and idolatry. They will also be delivered from their exile and slavery, symbolised by sin. God will make an everlasting covenant of peace. He will multiply them. He will dwell among them and make them holy 6.      Now all these find their referent and fulfillment in Jesus. He gathers into one all the dispersed children of Israel. This dispersion is not geographical. It is spiritual. Those who sin are dispersed from God 7.      Jesus came on the mission of restoration and unification. In him all become one new nation, of new Israel. God will begin to  dwell them though the living sanctuary of Jesus Christ   Imperative: Let us constantly allow God to cleanse us, liberate, unify, sanctify and glorify us through a covenantal relationship of intimacy and fidelity   (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2022, 09 APRIL)   Focus: Unity is a sign of fidelity and sanctity. God always wants His children to be united as one family. Their communion with God and with others becomes an authentic sign of their faithfulness and holiness   1.      God always owns us up. He is a God who belongs to us and who makes us belong to Him. He is the God of covenant and intimacy. He is in a stable and everlasting relationship with His people. That is why today in the first reading from Ezekiel, God repeats twice: “They shall be my people and I will be their God” 2.       God promises that He will gather His people from all around, and bring them to their own land. He will make them one nation. One king shall be king over them all. They shall be no longer two nations, and no longer divided into two kingdoms. Historically, it may refer to the Jewish people and their kingdoms of Israel and Judah 3. But they allude very much to the new Israel, the Christian faithful, the followers of Christ. It is the one nation of the Church of faith. The one kingdom is the kingdom of heaven surpassing the kingdom of the world and evil. Christ is the one king that reigns over all. He is the one shepherd in line with David. As prophesied rightly by the high priest Caiaphas, Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad