By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB

Let Ezekiel prophet of the exile, be prophet of our exile too, prophet of our exile here on earth. Lord, trim us from the ancient tree, Israel, and graft us into You. Make us grow on mountains that reach toward You. May we grow into a wondrous tree, your new chosen people who welcome every passing bird to dwell on its branches. Though your vitality runs in us, should we ever show signs of withering, pour anew unto us your life and make us fresh again. So, Lord, you promise, so let it be. 

The Psalmist sang, “Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.” We Lord, your Church, we too sing out our praises to you. We proclaim your kindness all day long and into the night. We, Your living tree, vigorous and strong, no matter how old we may be, kindest Lord, Lord our Life! We love you.

We heed your advice, given through your Apostle Paul. Though now we travel still far from you, “We walk by faith, not by sight,” to meet You. Though our way is often difficult, “Yet we are courageous.” We are also foolish, so the world thinks that, like Paul, “We would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord.” We yearn to see You, Lord. We know we will be compensated for all we have borne, whether aided by your endless waves of goodness or by losing strength to defeat the blasts of evil.  O, We are yours. Save us, Lord.

All who come to You shall live forever. Longing for You, we sigh. Guide our coming. Called to your kingdom, the Gospel tells us that we are like small grains of seed cast expectantly onto the soil, or smaller, like the tiny mustard seed sown that in full leaf it may shelter others on its welcome boughs. All of us are spread upon the earth. All of us are meant to exist, each for God’s own purpose.

Quietly you, Lord, nourished this seed even during the night. You expected of us that we bloom and grow. When ripe, You would harvest us and bring us into your storehouse of heaven. It is only at our allotted time that You are ready to harvest us. We, perhaps among the smallest of seeds, produced much or little as you intended. And You take us from the earth to heaven, from earth to You.

May we love You and possess You, for You are Love!