Ezekiel 37:21-28 / John 11:45-56 (2018)
Whenever the word "prophecy" is mentioned, we are inclined to think that it is something about the future, a fore-telling of sort.
In many ways, what the prophet Ezekiel and the high priest Caiaphas said in today's readings had a bearing on the future.
Yet the more fundamental and important aspect of prophecy is the "forth-telling", meaning to say, the bearing on the present.
And precisely, the prophet Ezekiel was also doing that. He was not talking about something that will only happen in the future.
He was talking about something that was already happening during his time - that God will gather His people, and He will be their God and they will be His people.
Similarly when Caiaphas said those words "it is better for one man to die for the people, than for the whole nation to be destroyed (and not for the nation only, but to gather together in unity the scattered children of God).
That is one of the most profound prophesies at that time and also for the present.
During this time of Lent, we undertake fasting and penances to subdue our bodily desires and also offer up our sacrifices in union with Jesus.
All this is done not just for our own benefit but also for the Church and the world in reparation for sins committed.
Let us continue to do penance and offer up our sacrifices with love so that with Jesus we gather together in unity the scattered children of God.