To the Ends of the Earth: Witness – Catholic Men's Devotionals, Week 8 – Them Bones, Them Bones

The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley; it was full of bones. And he led me round among them; and behold, there were very many upon the valley; and behold, they were very dry. And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord GOD, you know.” Again he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the LORD.”

Ezekiel 37:1–6

The rest of the story is familiar to most Christians. Ezekiel spoke the word of prophecy to the bones and they came to life, becoming a vast army. The Catholic Church sees this as a picture of what Christ has done in giving his life to us. From a small band of men, the Church has grown to a vast army of millions. As we continue the call to breathe new life into dead souls, this army grows.

How does this story impact us Catholic men today in our witness to the Gospel? This week, we will consider the following points:

1.         The world is a dead and desolate land of lost sinners.

There is no life outside of Christ and his army, the Church. All is dry and dead, with no hope of ever coming to life once more. In one sense, Ezekiel’s vision is a picture of the fate of all who reject the Savior. This understanding is critical for our witness to Christ, for there are so many in need of the One who breathes life into dead souls.

2.         Only those who know the Savior can recognize the One who alone can restore them.

Our faith gives us prophets’ hearts, able to recognize the utter hopelessness of this fallen world without Christ. Those who are dead in their sins cannot comprehend their state. This is why our witness to the life-giving love of God is so critical.

3.         Only the breath of God can restore the dead.

In our fallen state, human beings have no power to change. Only the grace of God, breathed into our dead souls, can animate our hearts to turn once more toward salvation. It is then that the work of restoration can begin. Our calling is to speak the word of God to those who are spiritually dead so that the Spirit of God can bring them to life and send them forth into the world for him.

4.         At God’s command, the dead come back to life.

Just as Jesus called Lazarus from the tomb (see John 11), so too does God’s word call us back from the grave. Our baptism embodies the death and burial of the old, and the rising to new life in the Body of Christ. Those who have been saved are now sent forth to spread the Gospel and conquer the enemies of Christ through love and good works.

5.         The resurrection is proof of God’s power and love.

Without the resurrection, our faith is in vain and we are to be pitied more than all others (1 Cor 15:19). But because of our new life in Christ, we have the hope of a better life to come on the Last Day. This is the foundation of our faith, the great hope that we are called to bring into the lives of those who are dead in sin.

A Call to Action

Even in the Old Testament, God was revealing clues about the resurrection to come. This week, meditate on how God has been working out his eternal plan from the very beginning, and how he continues to work it out through you today. Consider how you, through the resurrection power of Jesus, can breathe hope into the lives of others. Find specific ways you can take the dryness of doubt, sadness, and despair and bring the Spirit of Christ to bear upon the circumstances of those you encounter. Give your prayers, support, and love to others through acts of charity done in the name of the One who breathes his Spirit into those who are dead in their sins.

It may sound harsh, but it’s important to realize that many in the world around us today are spiritually dead, trying to live their lives apart from Christ. They may have the appearance of life, but without his grace, they are as dead and dry as the bones in Ezekiel’s vision. God has called us to share our Catholic faith with the lost so that his Spirit can breathe new life into their dry and dead lives.

You can learn more about the To the Ends of the Earth Series HERE