Hope in Resurrection - Fr. Gregory - July 23, 2023

In today’s Epistle reading, Romans 15:1-7, St. Paul speaks of hope in the Holy Scriptures, at that time being the Old Testament. We also celebrate the Prophet Ezekiel today, July 23rd. Father Gregory connects today’s epistle reading with the prophecy of the “valley of dry bones” from the Prophet Ezekiel, who lived during Old Testament times. The vision presented to Ezekiel is not only one of death, a battlefield riddled with the "dry bones" of God’s chosen people, Israel, but also one of resurrection, as the dead are raised and the Holy Spirit is breathed into their resurrected bodies. This image is a foreshadowing of the resurrection of Christ Jesus and of the Church. While resurrection was not known to Israel at the time of Ezekiel’s vision, St. Paul reminds the Church in the book of Romans to be encouraged by the scriptures which foretold the hope we now obtain. This prophecy of Ezekiel is an example of the hope found in the Holy Scripture, as Christ Jesus is the first fruit of the resurrection we all hope for. We live now in the spiritual resurrection imparted on us by the Holy Spirit, like the "dry bones" receiving the breath of life. And may we remain steadfast, being encouraged by the Holy Scriptures, as we, with hope, await the physical resurrection of the Church in the second coming of Christ. Glory to God!