Scripture:
Ezekiel 37:12-14
Romans 8:8-11
John 11:1-45
Reflection:
…the time has come for the son of man to be glorified…
The end is drawing near…we are approaching Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem…a journey to the end. We remember, Jesus came for the Jews, and now there are Greeks among them, the kingdom is bigger and broader – the kingdom is for all.
Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground, it remains just a grain of wheat…but once in the darkness of the earth, in the stillness of the ground, transformation can happen, new life bursts forth, possibilities for life-giving, life-sustaining food – food for all.
Can we go to the quiet place within our heart, enter into the stillness and darkness, dare to go into the fear and anxiety that surrounds us and consumes us. Can we trust, as Jesus trusted, that even in the midst of the illness, disease, chaos, confusion, anger, hurt – can we trust that God is waiting to bring new hope, new possibility, new life! God promises to stand in the tension with us. He will be glorified – his Glory is for all.
We look to the cross, a place to lay our struggle, our pain, our emptiness and fear – out of all the emotion that we leave at the cross, God brings about hope, love, promise – for all.
With St. Paul of the Cross we can say When affliction lays heavy on you, you can go to your room, take the crucifix in your hands and give yourself a sermon from it. What a sermon you will hear! How quickly your heart will be calmed” A message for all.
Faith Offman is the Associate Director of Ministry at St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat and Conference Center in Detroit, Michigan.