My grandson, Tanner, who does a lot of God-thinking and talkin, asked Sunday—as we gathered around the Sunday spread of dinner and laughter, if “God could make skeletons walk? Could God make them breathe?”
My son quickly suggested i could tackle that one and so, appreciating the artful dodge, given his generations worship of all things scienc-based, smiled, and turning to Tanner merely said. “Yes, ofcourse and not only could God, but God has promised to do that very thing for the Tribe of Israel.“ I then added that if Tanner would remind me, I’d tell him the story. Tanner seemed contented in the knowledge that his Halloween induced question was treated as appropriate, even excellent and the laughter continued.
Ezekiel a prophet, a Holy Man or what western native tribes might refer to as a Shuman, lived when Israel (Judah actually) collapsed and he, as a captured migrant lived out his life in Bsbylon, the empire‘s capital filmed with gardens and majestic wealth.
In a vision he saw a mighty army of Israel’s fallen scattered across a valley, now filled with dead bones. He, inspired by the question of every exile, of every believer in all times facing injustice or sudden loss, is asked; “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know”” (Ezekiel 37:3 NIV).
The Human One through whom we, as Christians, believe this metaphor finds fulfillment in a present/future unfolding, looked out over the valley and upon the descendants of these exiles, now alive in their own land, yet still under the tyranny of Rome and unbelievably assured them: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets. “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets” (Luke 6:20-26 NIV).
The radical, even scandalous understanding of the early Church was that in Jesus of Nazareth God has not only enfleshed the Love that fills the heavens but now pours love, forgiveness, restoration on every daughter of Eve snd every son of Adam. No one is left out, lying on the ground as scattered bones.
The Father and Spirit in Jesus, experiences and identifies with each/all of us at exactly the point where we are most vulnerable inside our own self-deceptions or lust or greed snd offers to breath in us by The Spirit the breath of God, awakening us to our own humanit, to the only Story that brings meaning and peace; where the poor are privileged, those who mourn will laugh and those hungry will be fed.
One of the things I value most about Native American communities I have known is their absolute confidence that the Creator is good and whatever is tragically left undone or wounded at death will be brought into the healing Presence of The Spirit.
Blessings! Terry :)
Devotional Only: https://youtu.be/OGBSF4DGzwM
Devotional Video & Prayer for our Native American Family—in the loss of Adrian;
For more on Catholic Anchoresses check out my book: 50 Days of Promise
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