First Reading:  Ezekiel 36:16-17a 18-28

For the Glory of God

When do your efforts seem futile?

From his contemporaries’ point of view, Ezekiel must have been an odd man. He was more than a prophet. He was “touched” with dreams and visions. He was almost anti-social when he lived in Jerusalem. And, when his wife died, he was so emotionally devastated, he became a recluse in his own house. Yet, he became one of the major prophets in the history of Israel. He was a transitional figure between the final years of Judea before the fall of Jerusalem and the first years of the Exile in Babylon. In retrospect, his extremes matched those of the fallen nation; his visions became a window into the reasons for the Exile and glimmer of hope.

This passage was taken from the latter section of Ezekiel’s writings, the prophecies of hope. The prophet recounted the reasons for the Exile and the spreading Diaspora (profaning the name of YHWH by mixing Temple worship with rites to foreign gods). But God’s punishment caused other nations to belittle the holy Name (“Look! The people of YHWH are dispersed. What sort of impotent God do they have?!”). Of these two reasons, God would restore his people and his covenant as a way to restore his name. Repentance would have little to do with return; in fact, Ezekiel seemed to imply the people would rise again even with sin in their midst! God seemed to say, “You will be great again because I am great!”

Return meant more than restoration; it meant renewal. God would rededicate the people (through the cleansing ritual), give them a new spirit (replacing hardened hearts with loving hearts), and give them a new resolve (to follow the Law) with his Spirit. God would be the Lord of the people, a people who would enjoy the fulfilled promises made to Abraham of descendants and land.

The Easter Vigil rites celebrate the spirit of Ezekiel’s prophecy. They are meant to renew the community, just as the elect become neophytes through Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. Even as sinners, we are to celebrate the work of the Spirit. As the Spirit was instrumental in raising Christ from the dead, it raises us to new life. We have been rededicated in the waters of Baptism. We have been given new hearts and a new resolve. We have been made People of God. All this is a gift from God. He did it for his glory, not ours.

How will you celebrate the gifts of faith, renewal, and community God have given you this Easter?