Ezekiel 4: The Inevitability of God’s Love
Fifth Sunday of Lent: March 26, 2023
James Tissot: Simon the Cyrenian Compelled to Carry the Cross with Jesus
There is an inexorable force which drives our existence. Some of us identify its scientific origin, others of us focus on its spiritual origin. Some of believe that God drives this science; others of us believe that synchronicity and evolution direct our existence. But no matter the origin of our thinking, and no matter our circumstances, we all see the predictable: those of us born into human flesh will come to a very human end. This is an inevitability we cannot avoid. This is the greatest gift ever offered. This is a promise none will want to doubt. Ezekiel’s audience turned away from his prophecy because they could not bear to hear the truth which they saw as terrible but which was, indeed, wonderful. Today when we hear the good news that we are loved beyond measure and that all our worries and woes can be put into God’s hands we will want to choose to trust God and the inevitability of God’s love?
Yesterday we reflected on the certainty of Ezekiel’s prophecy and how history tells us that his predictions held true. We also made a connection between the unavoidability of this prophecy and the persistent nature of God’s promises to us, the unrelenting presence of God’s love for us as shown by the birth of the Christ. The ancient oracle foreshadows the promise kept.
When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption. As proof that you are children, God sent the spirit of his son into our hearts, crying out, Abba, Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God. (Galatians 4:4-7)
Whether we want to admit this fact or not, we are in intimate relationship with God. This is something we cannot change.
Whether we feel God’s presence or we do not, we are in constant union with God. This is a concept we cannot reject.
Whether we feel God’s love for us or we do not, we are the center of God’s focus at all times. This is the reality we cannot rebuff.
God is so good, so generous and so overpowering that we cannot avoid closeness with him. God is so patient, so forgiving and so compassionate that he waits with us as we struggle against the fears and anxieties of the world. God is so caring, so tender, and so loving that he allows us to behave as we like as he continues to offer this gift of self to us. God has known us from our origin and God knows our path. And God waits. God persists. God loves. Inevitably.
Jerusalem fell and God’s people were taken into exile. This was predicted. This came to pass. This was inevitable. This we now know.
Jesus is among us to deliver us from all that pains us. This was predicted. This has come to pass. This too, is inevitable. This too, we can know.
As we enter the last week before Palm Sunday and Holy Week, let us consider God’s inevitable gift and promise.
As we anticipate the miracle of Easter resurrection, let us rejoice and be glad.
And as we draw nearer to the Good News of the Easter Story, let us act as if we believe in these good tidings. Let us give thanks for this wondrous and profound gift of God’s inevitable love.
An adapted re-posting of a reflection written on December 25, 2011.
Image from: https://www.wikiart.org/en/james-tissot/simon-the-cyrenian-compelled-to-carry-the-cross-with-jesus-simon-de-cyre-ne-contraint-de-porter
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