Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent

EZ 37:21-28/JN 11:45-56

“I will be their God and they shall be my people.” Humans are uncannily susceptible to viewing life with either/or perspectives. For example, today’s reading from Ezekiel tells that the people were divided into two nations—either one or the other; John’s text reveals yet another either/or choice between the life of either “one man” or “the nation.” In the phrase, “I will be their God and they shall be my people,” perhaps the most important word is “and.” It is not a question of whether to be on the side of God or on the side of people. Rather, God calls for a vision of wholeness, instead of division, and for a gathering of the people “into one,” rather than to be dispersed. “I will be their God and they shall be my people.”

With such a clear call from God, why, then, are humans seemingly eternally inclined toward division and brokenness? God desires our healing and our wholeness. “I will be their God and they shall be my people.”

Yet most of the readings in the lectionary this week, leading up to today, tell over and again about divisions and arguments in the community that surrounded Jesus. Why does it sometimes feel like there is a “big gap” between God and the people? Bluntly, because God is God and the people are people. As creatures, who are not God, humans are inherently limited in their vision. Humans tend to get caught up in their own visions and their own actions. However, when humans keep their sights set primarily on God, and God’s actions and presence in creation, they can remember God’s call toward healing and vision of wholeness. They can align their actions and their visions with God. “I will be their God and they shall be my people.”

 

Christine Luna Munger, Ph.D
Director, Episcopal House of Prayer,
Adjunct Professor of Theology