42. Ezekiel: The Glory of God and the Resurrection of the People (Ezekiel 1-48)

Ezekiel carried out his mission as a prophet during the exile in Babylon. Through impressive visions and symbolic gestures, he reminded the people that, although they were far from their land and had lost the Temple, the glory of God had not abandoned them. His message focuses on personal responsibility and the need for a deep inner renewal. God does not want the people to resign themselves to the sadness of exile, but to prepare for a new spiritual birth.

One of his most famous visions is that of the "valley of dry bones." In it, Ezekiel sees a valley full of lifeless bones, but when he prophesies according to the word of God, the Spirit (the Ruah) breathes upon them, they regain flesh and return to life. This is a powerful image of hope: God can give life to what seems dead. Furthermore, Ezekiel announces the promise of a "heart of flesh" to replace the "heart of stone," a transformation that only the Spirit of God can perform in us.

Ezekiel also prefigures Jesus as the Good Shepherd who goes out to find the lost and wounded sheep. He teaches us that faith is not just a matter of heritage or group, but a personal decision to live according to God's heart. His call to holiness and trust in the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit is a message of vitality for the Church of all times, especially when we feel tired or hopeless.