PRAYER MOMENT          

Saturday 12 April 2014

GATHERING THE SCATTERED CHILDREN OF GOD

Pause. Be still in the presence of God

Reading: “Jesus was to die for the nation, and not for the nation only but also to gather together into one the scattered children of God” (Ezek. 37: 21-28, John 11:45-57)

Reflection. Few of us, perhaps, these days have much experience of life in rural areas. But many parents of today spent at least some of their growing years herding cattle and gathering them towards evening into the danga, cattle pen. Gathering what was scattered is a favourite theme of the prophets as here in Ezekiel and it is taken up by John in his gospel. Caiphas’ murderous designs are turned into a fulfilment of the plan of God – to gather his people, scattered by division, oppression and beliefs that were mere shadows, into one the unity of the children of God. Charles Dickens opens his Tale of Two Cities with the words, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity.” And we can add, It was the time when the Jews were plotting to kill Jesus, it was the time when God was planning to “gather his people.”

  

Prayer. Lord, just when your death was being finally decided on you were looking to the future gathering of your people. We thank you and rejoice.  Amen.

David Harold-Barry SJ