The Ophanim and Wheels in Ezekiel: A Deep Dive into the Biblical Vision, Ancient Interpretations, Modern Speculation, and Recent UFO File Claims.

The Ophanim and Wheels in Ezekiel: A Deep Dive into the Biblical Vision, Ancient Interpretations, Modern Speculation, and Recent UFO File Claims.

Ezekiel chapter 1 stands as one of the most vivid, strange, and theologically rich passages in the entire Bible. Written by the prophet Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile (around 593 BC), it describes a divine vision that profoundly impacted Jewish mysticism, particularly Merkabah (chariot) traditions, and continues to fascinate readers today. At the heart of this vision are the “living creatures” (later identified as cherubim in Ezekiel 10) and the mysterious “wheels” or Ophanim (Hebrew: אוֹפַנִּים, ’ōphannīm, singular ’ōphān meaning “wheel”).

Let’s begin with the text itself for full context (using a standard translation like the NIV or ESV for clarity, but drawing from the Hebrew where relevant):

 “As I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the ground beside each creature with its four faces. This was the appearance and structure of the wheels: They sparkled like topaz [or beryl/chrysolite], and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel. As they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions the creatures faced; the wheels did not turn about as they went. Their rims were high and awesome, and all four rims were full of eyes all around.” (Ezekiel 1:15-18)

The vision continues: The wheels moved in perfect coordination with the living creatures because “the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels” (1:20-21). Above them was an expanse like crystal, and ultimately a throne with a figure like a man, radiating glory—the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord.

 What Exactly Are the Ophanim?

Ophanim translates directly to “wheels.” In later Jewish literature (e.g., the Book of Enoch, Dead Sea Scrolls like 4Q405), they are treated as a distinct class of celestial beings—angelic orders alongside cherubim and seraphim. They are called “many-eyed ones” or guardians of God’s throne who never sleep. In some Christian angelology traditions, they are identified with the choir of Thrones.

The description is highly symbolic and layered:

- Wheel within a wheel: Not two separate wheels side-by-side, but intersecting at right angles—like a gyroscope or omnidirectional mechanism. This allowed instantaneous movement in any direction without turning, symbolizing God’s omnipresence and sovereignty. No limitations of earthly physics or directionality.

- Sparkling like topaz/beryl: A gem-like, luminous quality, evoking divine glory (kabod)—often associated with fire, lightning, and radiance in theophanies (God appearances).

- High and awesome rims full of eyes: “Eyes” (’ayin) everywhere suggest complete awareness, omniscience. Not literal eyeballs in a grotesque sense, but a metaphor for divine perception seeing all things. The height implies they were large, imposing structures.

- Coordination with living creatures: The four-faced beings (human, lion, ox, eagle) represent all creation or the totality of life under God’s rule. The same “spirit” animates both creatures and wheels, emphasizing unity in God’s will.

This is not a static image. The entire apparatus—creatures, wheels, expanse, throne—forms the Merkabah, God’s mobile chariot-throne. Ezekiel sees it by the Chebar canal in exile, a message that God is not confined to the Temple in Jerusalem but present with His people anywhere.

Historical and Theological Interpretations

In ancient Jewish thought, the Ophanim were not “aliens” but part of the heavenly court. The Talmud and Kabbalistic texts expand on them as angelic beings embodying divine justice or the mechanisms of providence. Maimonides and other rationalist interpreters saw the vision as a philosophical allegory for cosmology and metaphysics, not a literal machine.

Christian interpreters often link it to Revelation 4’s throne room with “four living creatures full of eyes.” Early Church Fathers like Gregory the Great viewed the wheels as symbols of the evangelists or the Church moving through history under divine guidance. Modern biblical scholars emphasize its roots in Ancient Near Eastern imagery: God riding on clouds/chariots (Psalm 104, Isaiah 19), cherubim as throne guardians (common in Canaanite and Mesopotamian art), and storm theophanies.

The vision’s purpose: To comfort exiles, affirm God’s holiness and control amid judgment on Israel and nations, and call Ezekiel to his prophetic ministry. It ends with him falling facedown in awe.

 Are the Ophanim Aliens, UFOs, or Spaceships? Ancient Astronaut Theories

Popular in the 20th-21st centuries, especially via Ancient Aliens and authors like Erich von Däniken or Josef Blumrich (The Spaceships of Ezekiel, 1974), some claim Ezekiel described extraterrestrial craft.

Arguments for this view:

- The detailed “technical” language: wheels within wheels (like gyroscopes or landing gear), omnidirectional movement, fiery/luminous appearance, association with “living creatures” that could be pilots in suits.

- “Noise like rushing waters” or tumult, lightning, etc., sounding like engines or propulsion.

- Ezekiel’s repeated insistence he’s describing “the appearance of the likeness” because it was so otherworldly.

Counterarguments from scholars and skeptics:

- The text is steeped in biblical symbolism. “Eyes” = omniscience, not portholes. Gem-like sparkle = glory, not metal. The throne with a human-like figure above is clearly Yahweh, not an alien captain.

- Ezekiel uses visionary, apocalyptic language common in prophets (cf. Daniel, Zechariah). It’s a theophany, not a UFO report.

- Ancient people described divine encounters in terms familiar to them (chariots, wheels, creatures). Imposing modern tech on it is anachronistic.

- No evidence of actual spacecraft; the vision serves theological ends—God’s transcendence, mobility, and holiness—not technological disclosure.

Blumrich, a NASA engineer, tried reverse-engineering it into a helicopter-like craft, but this requires heavy reinterpretation and ignores the symbolic unity (spirit in the wheels, throne above). Most mainstream biblical scholars, archaeologists, and historians reject the ancient astronaut hypothesis as pseudoscience that strips the text of its religious context.

UFO enthusiasts sometimes point to parallels with modern sightings (orbs, discs, luminous phenomena), but these are vague and selective. Biblical angels and divine vehicles operate on a spiritual plane, often appearing and disappearing, interacting with prophets’ minds and spirits, not as physical hardware for interstellar travel.

 Recent Government UFO/UAP Files Release (May 2026) and Claims About Ophanim

In early 2026, President Trump directed greater transparency on UAP (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena). On or around May 8, 2026, the Department of War (formerly Defense) released an initial batch of around 161 files—mostly historical FBI, DoD, and other agency records—via war.gov/ufo. These include eyewitness reports, sensor data, photos, and videos of unresolved cases spanning decades.

Social media exploded with claims linking these to Ezekiel. Two specific items drew attention:

AI generated fake image circulating online

1. The alleged “Ophanim on page 42”: Viral images circulated showing a grainy black-and-white ringed, wheel-like entity with organic-looking layers, claimed to be from page 42 of the released files and matching biblical Ophanim. This is a hoax. 

The image does not exist in the official files. It appears to be a Photoshopped or AI-generated troll image that spread rapidly on Instagram, Facebook, and X. Fact-checks and users who reviewed the full release confirmed no such photo or description appears. It’s misinformation exploiting the hype.

2. The eight-pointed star-like object: Infrared video from 2013, submitted by US Central Command (Middle East), shows a glowing object with arms of alternating length, moving across the sky. Some called it an “Ophanim” or biblical angel due to the star/wheel shape and movement.

Explanation: Analysts and viewers noted it strongly resembles a parachute-suspended flare or illumination device. In the full video, one can see what appears to be a parachute or chute material overhead, moving with the object and leaving a contrail-like feature. It drifts, zigs slightly due to wind or deployment, and matches known military flare behavior captured on infrared. It is not a solid wheel, living entity, or spacecraft, nor does it match the coordinated, eye-covered, throne-bearing description in Ezekiel. It’s a mundane (if initially puzzling) aerial object in an unresolved file—likely terrestrial technology or pyrotechnics.

These releases contain many ordinary or explainable cases mixed with truly anomalous ones. No credible evidence of extraterrestrials, biblical angels as physical craft, or “Ophanim UFOs” has emerged. Officials emphasize transparency without confirming exotic origins. Claims tying them directly to Ezekiel are enthusiastic speculation or deliberate misinformation, not supported by the documents.

 Broader Context and Why This Matters

Ezekiel’s vision has inspired art, mysticism, and even sci-fi for millennia—not because it describes aliens, but because it reveals a God who is sovereign, mobile, all-knowing, and glorious beyond comprehension. Reducing it to ancient UFO footage diminishes its power as Scripture calling people to repentance and awe.

Modern UAP interest reflects genuine curiosity about the unknown, government secrecy, and humanity’s place in the cosmos. But conflating biblical theology with classified files risks both bad exegesis and disappointment when prosaic explanations (flares, drones, balloons, hoaxes) emerge—as they often do.

The Ophanim remind us of divine order amid chaos. In exile, Ezekiel saw wheels that moved freely: God was not trapped. Today, amid uncertainty, the same message holds.

Always verify primary sources: Read Ezekiel yourself, and check the official UAP archive directly rather than viral screenshots.

UPDATE:  I asked Grok to create images of what Ezekiel describes, and this is what it produced:

Sources and Citations (drawn from biblical texts, scholarly sites, and news on the 2026 releases):

- Bible: Ezekiel 1 (ESV/NIV); cross-references in Ezekiel 10.

- GotQuestions.org, BibleStudyTools.com, Wikipedia (Ophanim entry).

- War.gov/ufo official release pages and associated news (CBS, CNN, NY Post, etc., May 2026).

- Debunkings of page 42 hoax via social media fact-checks and direct file reviews.

- Parachute/flare analysis from video descriptions and Reddit/UFO community observations.

The 2026 UFO Files Release: Government Transparency, Unresolved Mysteries, and a Torrent of Conspiracies

The 2026 UFO Files Release: Government Transparency, Unresolved Mysteries, and a Torrent of Conspiracies

On May 8, 2026, the U.S. Department of War (formerly the Department of Defense in this rebranded context) unleashed the first tranche of declassified Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP, the modern term for UFOs) files under the Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters (PURSUE). This historic dump—161 files including PDFs, videos, photos, and witness reports—arrived on a sleek new website at [war.gov/ufo](https://www.war.gov/ufo/), following President Donald J. Trump's February 2026 directive calling for unprecedented transparency on alien life, extraterrestrial phenomena, and related matters.

The release marks a rolling process, with more tranches promised every few weeks. It draws from agencies like the FBI, NASA, State Department, and military branches, spanning decades from the 1940s onward. Officials, including Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, framed it as fulfilling public demand and countering decades of speculation. The site saw massive traffic—hundreds of millions of visits in the first day—yet many analysts called the initial batch underwhelming, full of grainy footage, unresolved cases, and mundane explanations like balloons, drones, or sensor artifacts.

This post dives deep into the contents, analyzes key images and videos, addresses viral claims of biblical "angels" or Ophanim (thrones/wheels from Ezekiel), and explores the swirling conspiracy theories that this is all a distraction from hotter issues like the Epstein files, economic pressures, and geopolitical tensions.

 Background: From Trump's Directive to PURSUE

President Trump's Truth Social post in February 2026 set the stage: "Based on the tremendous interest shown, I will be directing the Secretary of War... to begin the process of identifying and releasing Government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs)..." He ended with "GOD BLESS AMERICA!"

This built on prior efforts like the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) and earlier declassifications under previous administrations. The new PURSUE initiative coordinates across government to review millions of records, many paper-only. The May 8 release includes "never-before-seen" materials, though skeptics note overlaps with known cases.

The files emphasize unresolved cases—those without definitive prosaic explanations due to insufficient data. The government invites public analysis while stressing no evidence of extraterrestrial tech or life has been confirmed.

 Key Contents of the First Tranche

The batch includes ~120 PDFs, 28 videos, and 14 image files. Highlights:

- Historical FBI memos: Older files reference 1940s-1960s sightings, including a 1966 memo on small beings emerging from a saucer-shaped craft (composite sketches included).

- Apollo mission reports: Transcripts and photos from Apollo 11, 12, and 17. Buzz Aldrin described lights and flashes; Apollo 17 images show anomalies near the lunar surface.

- Modern military encounters: Infrared videos from Navy pilots, helicopter footage of "super-hot" orbs in 2025, and reports of orbs launching smaller orbs in the Western U.S.

- Global sightings: Incidents over the Middle East, Greece, Japan, and more.

No "smoking gun" like alien bodies or reverse-engineered craft—mostly eyewitness accounts, sensor data, and ambiguous visuals.

 Explaining the Images: What Do They Actually Show?

Many released images are grainy, black-and-white, or low-resolution, typical of archival or sensor-captured footage. Here's a breakdown of prominent ones based on public descriptions and analyses.

Lunar Anomalies from Apollo Missions  

NASA photos from Apollo 17 (1972) show three bright dots in a triangular formation above the lunar terrain. One image highlights a "sizeable" object and particles resembling "Fourth of July fireworks." Astronauts noted bright lights and debris illuminated by module lights. Official analysis suggests possible physical objects but no consensus—could be lens flares, spacecraft debris, or reflections. No evidence of structures or craft on the moon.

Orb and Sphere Sightings  

Multiple files feature glowing orbs. A 2025 helicopter search captured a "super-hot" orb hovering and moving rapidly, followed by others flaring. Western U.S. law enforcement reports describe large orange orbs emitting smaller red ones, silent and hovering. Infrared military videos show similar metallic or plasma-like spheres streaking across skies (e.g., Arabian Gulf, Djibouti).

These often appear as points of light or dark shapes against backgrounds. Skeptics point to balloons, drones, aircraft lights, or atmospheric phenomena. Proponents see transmedium objects defying physics.

Other Visuals  

- Sketches of saucer-like craft with beings.  

- Oval objects streaking (one flagged as "possible missile").  

- Historical "flying saucer" debris photos (alleged specimens, often mundane wreckage).

Overall, the visuals are tantalizing but inconclusive—classic UAP characteristics: rapid movement, no visible propulsion, transmedium travel. Public scrutiny continues via the site's downloads.

 Fake Images and Biblical Interpretations: Angels, Thrones, and Ophanim

Social media exploded with claims linking these to the Bible, particularly Ezekiel's vision of "wheels within wheels" (Ophanim or thrones), cherubim, and fiery angelic beings. Some users shared altered or unrelated images claiming the orbs are "biblically accurate angels" or portals.

Ezekiel 1 describes living creatures with wheels: "Their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel within a wheel... full of eyes round about." Modern interpreters tie glowing orbs or rotating objects to these. Rep. Lauren Boebert and others suggested connections to Nephilim or spiritual entities, not necessarily extraterrestrial.

The Fakes: Many viral "UFO angel" images are AI-generated, edited historical art, or unrelated drone/orb footage with biblical overlays. Examples include eight-pointed star-like lights or wheel-like formations photoshopped onto release stills. Classic illustrations of Ezekiel's vision (wheels with eyes, winged beings) get recirculated as "matching the files." These are not in the official release—they're fan edits or hoaxes exploiting the moment.

Fake AI image being circulated by Protestants

While some experiencers report spiritual or interdimensional vibes, the government files make no such claims. They remain agnostic, focusing on sensor data over theology. These interpretations fuel engagement but dilute serious analysis.

 Conspiracy Theories: Distraction from Epstein, Economy, and More?

The timing ignited fierce debate. Critics, including former allies like Marjorie Taylor Greene and commentators like Joe Rogan and Alex Jones, called it a "shiny object" distraction.

Epstein Files: Pressure mounts for fuller release of documents on Jeffrey Epstein's network, implicating elites. UFO drops coincide with stalled or partial Epstein disclosures, leading to claims of "bread crumbs" to occupy the public while protecting the powerful.

Economic Downfall and Inflation: With fuel prices high (e.g., over $4.50/gallon cited), war impacts, and dollar concerns, skeptics argue UFOs divert from pocketbook issues.

Geopolitics (Iran War): Ongoing tensions and military actions provide context for "look over here" tactics.

Broader Narratives: Operation Blue Beam theories (projected fake alien invasion for NWO control) resurface. Some see disclosure as controlled—drip-feeding to acclimate without panic, or hiding reverse-engineered tech. Others claim it's psy-op to discredit real whistleblowers.

Supporters counter it's genuine transparency fulfilling campaign promises, with Vice President JD Vance and others expressing personal interest (some framing UAP spiritually).

The files' ambiguity allows all sides to project: believers see cover-up of ETs; skeptics see bureaucratic noise; conspiracists see elite misdirection.

 Public Reaction and What Comes Next

The release sparked memes, analyses, and renewed congressional interest. AARO.mil links provide more context. Future tranches may include clearer data or resolved cases.

Critically, while exciting, extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. Most UAP resolve as prosaic upon scrutiny. Yet the volume of high-quality sightings keeps the question open: Are we alone, or is something else at play—technological, natural, or otherwise?

This batch demystifies some archives but raises more questions. Dive into the files yourself at the official site. The truth may not be fully out there yet, but the conversation is wider than ever.

 Links and Resources

- Official Government Site: [https://www.war.gov/ufo/](https://www.war.gov/ufo/) (Primary archive for PURSUE Release 01 and future tranches)

- AARO (All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office): [https://www.aaro.mil/](https://www.aaro.mil/)

- Key News Coverage: CBS News, CNN, NYT, AP reports on the May 8, 2026 release.

- Historical FBI Vault UFOs: vault.fbi.gov/UFO (for context on older files).

- For biblical comparisons: Standard Ezekiel translations and scholarly analyses (not government-endorsed).

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Persecution, Atheism & Hardships

Today's readings deal with the rejection of the faith and its consequences.

In the first reading, we read of the priest Ezekiel. God speaks to him and the Spirit entered him. The voice that spoke to him tells him that he is being sent to the rebels among the Israelites (Exodus 32:9, Deuteronomy 31:27). These rebels were the ones who turned against God. They are like atheists today who reject God and Christian principles in favor of an ideology of confusion that finds its origin in relativism (Romans 1:25).
Ezekiel serves to these people as a reminder that God still loves these rebels and that He has tried to bring them back, but they still reject Him (Psalm 95). This ties in with today's Gospel. God is not the problem, we are.  We are the ones who sin and reject God (Ezekiel 6:9, Deuteronomy 32:18). This reading is appropriate to today's times with the Supreme Court's decision legalizing so-called same-sex marriage in all 50 states in 2015 and its constant promotion of abortion and other evils. This nation that "trusts in God" and who claims it is "under God" has pushed God aside. Today this nation celebrates its independence day. However, it has made its declaration of independence from God a long time ago. Despite Covid-19 Coronavirus still running rampant, many still reject God and trust in man.  We must ask God for mercy and have our eyes fixed on Him as we read in the Psalm for today.

Today's responsorial Psalm reminds us to lift our eyes to the one who is on the throne in heaven.  We must ask the one enthroned for mercy (Psalm 47:8, 1 Kings 22:19). He cares for us; so much that He throughout time has sent us priests, prophets, and His own Son to bring us back (2 Chronicles 36:15). Have pity on us, have pity.  These words have a strong significance today.  Our world has gone astray and only the one who is on the throne patiently awaits our conversion.  How long will we continue to offend God?  Unfortunately, the Church and her bishops did a lot of harm when they closed down parishes and denied the Sacraments to the people. This hurt the faith a great deal.  We must ask God for forgiveness and for the grace to help us restore faith.  

The second reading is also a strong reminder to us today regarding the suffering we have to put up with. St. Paul states that in order for him to 'not become too elated,' he has to deal with a thorn in the flesh' who is a demon or an angel of Satan (Job 2:4-5, Ephesians 4:26-27, 1 Thessalonians 3:5, 1 Timothy 3:7). We are all taught that suffering is bad, and rightfully so.  Suffering is a bad thing.  It hurts us and may even kill us. However, to a Catholic, suffering is transformed by God into a good that makes us stronger (Romans 5:3-5). This does not mean we become masochists, but instead, our suffering has no power over us because we bear it along with Christ's suffering (Romans 8:17, 1 Peter 4:13). When we get sick, our bodies suffer in order to get better. We get fevers, coughs, runny noses, aches and pains, and so forth. This is how the body recovers.  Suffering humbles us and reminds us that we are just mortals. Regardless of how many push-ups we can do, the technology we design, we still are weak. Suffering reminds us of this.  If we think we are supermen, we will become arrogant.  The Covid-19 Coronavirus pandemic has reminded us that life is fragile. A simple microscopic virus can cause so much harm and death.  Those who go maskless and claim all of this is a hoax are part of the problem as well. They are arrogant believing they are Superman.  

After the Supreme Court's decision on so-called same-sex marriage, we can expect our suffering to increase even more. We are being mocked, harassed, and treated as the people "on the wrong side of history." That is okay.  Let them do that. We bear our suffering and their mockery knowing Christ already bore it for us and was victorious. We who are with Him will be victorious as well (2 Timothy 2:12).  St. Paul says that he begged the Lord about this suffering he endured, but the Lord told Him, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." What does this mean? This means that we see truly how powerful God is when He can do the impossible even in weakness. If a muscular man who has trained for track and field prays to God to win and wins, people will say he won because of his training. However, if this man is weak, skinny, sickly looking and prays to God and does win the race, then we see that God's power is made perfect in this situation because this man was not supposed to win but did anyway because God's power worked in this man's weakness. Never feel like you cannot do much for the kingdom of God. Whether young or old, sick or healthy, able-bodied or disabled; you can do all things in Him who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13). Like St. Paul, you will be content with this weakness, the insults, hardships, persecutions, and so forth. We must face the worse if we are to follow Christ (Matthew 16:24).  Jesus too endured rejection as we read in the Gospel.

In the Gospel, we read of Jesus coming to His native place with His disciples. It was the sabbath and he taught at the synagogue.  The people there were amazed at His knowledge and wisdom.  Christ spoke to the heart and rationally as if He had a doctorate in theology.  The people wondered who He was and others asked if He was not the carpenter who is also the son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon. Brother in this sense is not a brother in the sense of blood or genetics. It means close friend or in today's language, a 'bestie.'  The same with the reference to His "sisters."   Those in the synagogue felt offended because Jesus was a mere carpenter, yet He spoke with authority. The Jewish leaders of the time were mostly arrogant and sought positions of power (Matthew 23:13). They followed the law when it suited them. Jesus being the "Word of God" naturally knew the Word or the Hebrew Scriptures (Luke 2:41-52).  After noticing the disdain these Jewish leaders had for Him, Jesus tells them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” This is connected to the first reading where the rebels among the Israelites rejected the men God sent them.

Now we read something atheists often bring up claiming God is not all-powerful. It says, "so He was not able to perform any might deeds there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying His hands on them.  He was amazed at their lack of faith." Atheists often cite this in order to make a case that the Bible has contradictions and that God is in fact not all-powerful.  They do not see that Christ is not showing weakness or an inability to work miracles.  He respects the free will of people and will not force His power on them (Sirach 15:11-20).  This is why faith is necessary. People have to believe and trust in order to "give permission" to God, so to speak.  This does not mean God is not all-powerful.  Think about it: Would you give a sandwich to someone who never asked for it?  If you do so, you would be imposing on him or her.  God is not like that.  He waits for us to come back and ask in order to get and seek Him in order to find ourselves (Matthew 7:7).  

Unfortunately, our world today is rejecting Him.  We must continue to preach the Gospel via our lives and words in order to soften the hearts of people today.  If we do this, we will see faith increase and God's mighty works come to fruition.  Again, do not be concerned if you see yourself as weak.  It is in weakness that God's power is made perfect.  Do not worry about facing mockery, harassment, and persecution from others in today's world (Matthew 24:9. 2 Timothy 3:12).  Where sin reigns, God's grace will come down ever more calling all to change (Romans 5:20).  May Jesus be praised!


Readings:  Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

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14th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Persecution & Atheism

Today's readings deal with rejection of the faith and its consequences.

In the first reading, we read of the priest Ezekiel. God speaks to him and the Spirit entered him. The voice that spoke to him tells him that he is being sent to the rebels among the Israelites (Exodus 32:9, Deuteronomy 31:27). These rebels were the ones who turned against God. They are like atheists today who reject God and Christian principles in favor of an ideology of confusion which finds its origin in relativism (Romans 1:25).
Ezekiel serves to these people as a reminder that God still loves these rebels and that He has tried to bring them back, but they still reject Him (Psalm 95). This ties in with today's Gospel. God is not the problem, we are.  We are the ones who sin and reject God (Ezekiel 6:9, Deuteronomy 32:18). This reading is appropriate to today's times with the Supreme Court's decision legalizing so-called same-sex marriage in all 50 states. This nation who "trusts in God" and who claims it is "under God" has pushed God aside. We must ask God for mercy and have our eyes fixed on Him as we read in the Psalm for today.

Today's responsorial Psalm reminds us to lift our eyes to the one who is on the throne in heaven.  We must ask the one enthroned for mercy (Psalm 47:8, 1 Kings 22:19). He cares for us; so much that He throughout time has sent us priests, prophets and His own Son to bring us back (2 Chronicles 36:15). Have pity on us, have pity.  These words have a strong significance today.  Our world has gone astray and only the one who is on the throne who patiently awaits our conversion

The second reading is also a strong reminder to us today regarding the suffering we have to put up with.  St. Paul states that in order for him to 'not become too elated,' he has to deal with 'a thorn in the flesh' who is a demon or an angel of Satan (Job 2:4-5, Ephesians 4:26-27, 1 Thessalonians 3:5, 1 Timothy 3:7). We are all taught that suffering is bad, and rightfully so.  Suffering is a bad thing.  It hurts us and may even kill us. However, to a Catholic, suffering is transformed by God into a good that makes us stronger (Romans 5:3-5). This does not mean we become masochists, but instead our suffering has no power over us because we bear it along with Christ's suffering (Romans 8:17, 1 Peter 4:13). When we get sick, our bodies suffer in order to get better. We get fevers, coughs, runny noses, aches and pains and so forth. This is how the body recovers.  Suffering humbles us and reminds us that we are just mortals. Regardless of how many push-ups we can do, the technology we design, we still are weak. Suffering reminds us of this.  If we think we are supermen, we will become arrogant.

After the Supreme Court's decision, we can expect our suffering to increase. We are being mocked, harassed and treated as the people "on the wrong side of history." That is okay.  Let them do that. We bear our suffering and their mockery knowing Christ already bore it for us and was victorious. We who are with Him will be victorious as well (2 Timothy 2:12).  St. Paul says that he begged the Lord about this suffering he endured, but the Lord told Him, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." What does this mean? This means that we see truly how powerful God is when He can do the impossible even in weakness. If a muscular man who has trained for track and field prays to God to win and wins, people will say he won because of his training. However, if this man is weak, skinny, sickly looking and prays to God and does win the race, then we see that God's power is made perfect in this situation because this man was not supposed to win but did anyway because God's power worked in this man's weakness. Never feel like you cannot do much for the kingdom of God. Whether young or old, sick or healthy, able-bodied or disabled; you can do all things in Him who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13). Like St. Paul, you will be content with this weakness, the insults, hardships, persecutions and so forth. We must face the worse if we are to follow Christ (Matthew 16:24).  Jesus too endured rejection as we read in the Gospel.

In the Gospel, we read of Jesus coming to His native place with His disciples. It was the sabbath and he taught at the synagogue.  The people there were amazed at His knowledge and wisdom.  Christ spoke to the heart and rationally as if He had a doctorate in theology.  The people wondered who He was and others asked if He was not the carpenter who is also the son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas and Simon. Brother in this sense is not a brother in the sense of blood or genetics. It means close friend or in today's language, a 'bestie.'  The same with the reference to His "sisters."   Those in the synagogue felt offended because Jesus was a mere carpenter, yet He spoke with authority. The Jewish leaders of the time were mostly arrogant and sought positions of power (Matthew 23:13). They followed the law when it suited them. Jesus being the "Word of God" naturally knew the Word or the Hebrew Scriptures (Luke 2:41-52).  After noticing the disdain these Jewish leaders had for Him, Jesus tells them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” This is connected to the first reading where the rebels among the Israelites rejected the men God sent them.

Now we read something atheists often bring up claiming God is not all-powerful. It says, "so He was not able to perform any might deeds there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying His hands on them.  He was amazed at their lack of faith." Atheists often cite this in order to make a case that the Bible has contradictions and that God is in fact not all-powerful.  They do not see that Christ is not showing weakness or an inability to work miracles.  He respects the free will of people and will not force His power on them (Sirach 15:11-20).  This is why faith is necessary. People have to believe and trust in order to "give permission" to God, so to speak.  This does not mean God is not all-powerful.  Think about it: Would you give a sandwich to someone who never asked for it?  If you do so, you would be imposing on him or her.  God is not like that.  He waits for us to come back and ask in order to get, and seek Him in order to find ourselves (Matthew 7:7).  Unfortunately, our world today is rejecting Him.  We must continue to preach the Gospel via our lives and words in order to soften the hearts of people today.  If we do this, we will see faith increase and God's mighty works come into fruition.  Again, do not be concerned if you see yourself as weak.  It is in weakness that God's power is made perfect.  Do not worry at facing mockery, harassment and persecution from others in today's world (Matthew 24:9. 2 Timothy 3:12).  Where sin reigns, God's grace will come down ever more calling all to change (Romans 5:20).  May Jesus be praised!


Readings:  http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/070515.cfm

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Fifth Sunday of Lent

Today's readings deal with Faith and the Resurrection.

The first reading is from the prophet Ezekiel and tells us of how God brings life to those in the grave. God says that He will raise the dead of Israel and bring them back to their land.  Because of this, they will know that He is God.  He then promises that He will put His spirit in them. This is an allusion to the resurrection of Christ. As we know, Jesus was crucified, died and was buried.  However, He rose from the dead. We read in Matthew 27:50-54 how the dead walked out of their graves and entered Jerusalem. This event must have been frightening for those who witnessed it. However, it was not a scary scene like in "The Walking Dead" series. This event was foreshadowed in the first reading where God says that He will raise the dead of Israel and because of this the people will know that He is God.  Ironically, in Matthew 27:54, the centurion and those with him said, "Truly this man was God's son." God is the one who restores life to us both spiritually and physically.  

This brings us to the responsorial psalm which begins with a cry out of the depths to God.  It is a prayer asking God for mercy, redemption and renewal. When we sin, our spiritual lives slowly die. There is nothing worse than a spiritual death.  The human being becomes immoral, not knowing right from wrong.

He or she is lost in darkness and because of this, begins to fall not knowing where he or she is going. The Psalm reminds us that God is the one who saves us.  He is the one who brings us out of the depths of the spiritual grave.  We must trust in Him.

The second reading from Romans tells us that we cannot truly please God if we are in the flesh, or in sin. It is only in living in the Spirit that we truly please God because we are restored with God's grace.  St. Paul makes it clear that if we do not have the Spirit of Christ, then we do not belong to Him.  When we sin, we die spiritually and physically.  This is why St. Paul tells us that the "body is dead because of sin."  Because of sin, we are open to all kinds of ailments and diseases.  Original sin damaged creation and all things exist without the perfection it had prior to the fall of Adam and Eve.  Christ will restore our lives to what they were supposed to be.  He rose from the dead and will give life to our bodies and entire existence as well.

Finally, the Gospel tells us about Lazarus who is the brother of Mary who anointed Jesus with perfumed oil as well as Martha. Lazarus is extremely ill; basically at the point of death.  Jesus is told of the illness and replies that the illness Lazarus is going through is not to end in death but will serve as an example of the glory of God.  In other words, Christ was telling them that He will be using this opportunity to show God's glory via a miracle.

Jesus then plans to go back to Judea where He had some problems with the people.  The disciples advise Jesus not to go because the people will stone Him. Jesus then reminds them that those who walk in light do not stumble basically reminding them that He will be safe.  Then He tells them that Lazarus is "asleep" and He will awaken Him.  They thought He was referring to sleep, but Christ was referring to the fact that Lazarus had passed away.  Jesus knew this despite not being at Lazarus' home.  When Jesus arrived at Bethany, Lazarus had already been buried for four days. Martha and Mary met with Jesus and Martha voiced her frustration to Him telling Him that if He had been there that Lazarus would still be alive.

Nevertheless, she still has faith that whatever Christ asks of God will be granted.  Martha believes in the final resurrection on the last day and Jesus replies saying that He is the resurrection and the life and that those who believe in Him even if they die will live.  Christ then asks Martha if she believes Him and she replies, "Yes, Lord" showing her deep faith. Martha then calls Mary to tell her that Jesus is there and is asking for her.

Mary approaches Christ and falls to His feet voicing her frustrations as well just like Martha did. Next we see Jesus showing His human side.  Despite being the Son of God and the second person of the Blessed Trinity, He becomes "perturbed and deeply troubled" when He sees Mary crying and the Jews who were there crying as well.  He then asks to be taken to where they had laid the remains of Lazarus and they take Him.

Once again we see Jesus shows His humanity. He begins to cry as well.  Here we have God crying. The Jews present ask Jesus "could not the one who opened the eyes of the blind man have done something so that this man would not have died?  The people are complaining as well just like Mary and Martha did. Jesus is perturbed again we read, but goes to the tomb to see Lazarus' body. Martha tries to stop Jesus saying that there will be a stench because the body has been there for four days. Jesus reminds her that God will show His glory via the death of Lazarus and calls out "Lazarus, come out!"  The dead corpse once lying in state comes to life and walks out. Imagine the scene for a moment. A man is dead for four days and all of a sudden walks out still wrapped in bands like a mummy of sorts.  Had it been me witnessing this, I probably would have run faster than the cartoon character "Road Runner" and would have been screaming like Mariah Carey!

However, the scene should not bring fright.  It was not a scene of a zombie movie or "The Walking Dead" series.  Lazarus woke from his sleep as Christ said he would.  This Gospel shows not only that Christ is God and that God has power over life and death, but also shows Christ's humanity and genuine love. We also see how the people get frustrated that Jesus did not act quickly in either preventing Lazarus from dying or raising him from the dead.

How many times do we get frustrated when we pray for something and God does not grant it right away or perhaps not in the way we wanted?  This is a natural reaction because we still do not see the full picture.  We are like little impatient kids who feel that waiting just one minute is like a lifetime, so we get frustrated. Our doubts grow just like atheists who see children suffering in the world and quickly declare God as non-existent or uncaring.  Those who let this impatience get the best of them eventually doubt and fall into atheism believing God to not exist.  We must not be like this.

Like Martha and Mary we must have faith. Christ understand us. He shares our joys and pains as we read in the Gospel how He wept despite being God who can do anything.  God does care. He understands what we go through everyday. This is what is unique about the "God of Christianity" as atheists and academics describe Him.  The "God of Christianity" IS GOD. He is not a distant deity who demands sacrifices and does not interact with the people.  Christ is with each of us and shares with us our joys and our pains. The Gospel today is preparing us for Easter Sunday where Christ Himself rises from the dead. Death is something we all suffer. It is hard to get over the death of anyone, family or friend. However, it is our faith in Christ who is the resurrection and life that keeps us focused and of sound mind. We cry and are sad yes, this is a normal human response that even Jesus went through. However, we relax and know that death is not the end. Jesus is the resurrection and the life and will bring back to life those who believed in Him as St. Paul tells us in the second reading.  






Readings:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040614.cfm

Fifth Sunday of Lent
Lectionary: 34

Reading 1EZ 37:12-14

Thus says the Lord GOD: 
O my people, I will open your graves 
and have you rise from them, 
and bring you back to the land of Israel.
Then you shall know that I am the LORD, 
when I open your graves and have you rise from them, 
O my people!
I will put my spirit in you that you may live, 
and I will settle you upon your land; 
thus you shall know that I am the LORD.
I have promised, and I will do it, says the LORD.

Responsorial Psalm PS 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

R/ (7) With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.
Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;
LORD, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to my voice in supplication. 
R/ With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.
If you, O LORD, mark iniquities,
LORD, who can stand?
But with you is forgiveness,
that you may be revered. 
R/ With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.
I trust in the LORD;
my soul trusts in his word.
More than sentinels wait for the dawn,
let Israel wait for the LORD.
R/ With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.
For with the LORD is kindness
and with him is plenteous redemption;
And he will redeem Israel
from all their iniquities.
R/ With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.

Reading 2 ROM 8:8-11

Brothers and sisters:
Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
But you are not in the flesh; 
on the contrary, you are in the spirit, 
if only the Spirit of God dwells in you.
Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
But if Christ is in you, 
although the body is dead because of sin, 
the spirit is alive because of righteousness.
If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, 
the one who raised Christ from the dead 
will give life to your mortal bodies also, 
through his Spirit dwelling in you.

Gospel JN 11:1-45

Now a man was ill, Lazarus from Bethany, 
the village of Mary and her sister Martha.
Mary was the one who had anointed the Lord with perfumed oil 
and dried his feet with her hair; 
it was her brother Lazarus who was ill.
So the sisters sent word to him saying, 
“Master, the one you love is ill.”
When Jesus heard this he said,
“This illness is not to end in death, 
but is for the glory of God, 
that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
So when he heard that he was ill, 
he remained for two days in the place where he was.
Then after this he said to his disciples, 
“Let us go back to Judea.”
The disciples said to him, 
“Rabbi, the Jews were just trying to stone you, 
and you want to go back there?”
Jesus answered,
“Are there not twelve hours in a day?
If one walks during the day, he does not stumble, 
because he sees the light of this world.
But if one walks at night, he stumbles, 
because the light is not in him.” 
He said this, and then told them,
“Our friend Lazarus is asleep,
but I am going to awaken him.”
So the disciples said to him,
“Master, if he is asleep, he will be saved.”
But Jesus was talking about his death, 
while they thought that he meant ordinary sleep. 
So then Jesus said to them clearly,
“Lazarus has died.
And I am glad for you that I was not there,
that you may believe. 
Let us go to him.”
So Thomas, called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, 
“Let us also go to die with him.”

When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus 
had already been in the tomb for four days.
Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, only about two miles away.
And many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary 
to comfort them about their brother.
When Martha heard that Jesus was coming,
she went to meet him;
but Mary sat at home.
Martha said to Jesus, 
“Lord, if you had been here,
my brother would not have died.
But even now I know that whatever you ask of God,
God will give you.”
Jesus said to her,
“Your brother will rise.”
Martha said to him,
“I know he will rise,
in the resurrection on the last day.”
Jesus told her,
“I am the resurrection and the life; 
whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, 
and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.
Do you believe this?”
She said to him, “Yes, Lord.
I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God,
the one who is coming into the world.”

When she had said this, 
she went and called her sister Mary secretly, saying, 
“The teacher is here and is asking for you.”
As soon as she heard this,
she rose quickly and went to him.
For Jesus had not yet come into the village, 
but was still where Martha had met him.
So when the Jews who were with her in the house comforting her 
saw Mary get up quickly and go out,
they followed her, 
presuming that she was going to the tomb to weep there.
When Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, 
she fell at his feet and said to him, 
“Lord, if you had been here,
my brother would not have died.”
When Jesus saw her weeping and the Jews who had come with her weeping, 
he became perturbed and deeply troubled, and said, 
“Where have you laid him?”
They said to him, “Sir, come and see.”
And Jesus wept.
So the Jews said, “See how he loved him.”
But some of them said, 
“Could not the one who opened the eyes of the blind man 
have done something so that this man would not have died?”

So Jesus, perturbed again, came to the tomb.
It was a cave, and a stone lay across it.
Jesus said, “Take away the stone.”
Martha, the dead man’s sister, said to him, 
“Lord, by now there will be a stench; 
he has been dead for four days.”
Jesus said to her,
“Did I not tell you that if you believe 
you will see the glory of God?”
So they took away the stone.
And Jesus raised his eyes and said,
“Father, I thank you for hearing me.
I know that you always hear me; 
but because of the crowd here I have said this, 
that they may believe that you sent me.”
And when he had said this,
He cried out in a loud voice, 
“Lazarus, come out!”
The dead man came out,
tied hand and foot with burial bands, 
and his face was wrapped in a cloth.
So Jesus said to them,
“Untie him and let him go.”

Now many of the Jews who had come to Mary
and seen what he had done began to believe in him.

Or JN 11:3-7, 20-27, 33B-45

The sisters of Lazarus sent word to Jesus, saying, 
“Master, the one you love is ill.”
When Jesus heard this he said,
“This illness is not to end in death, 
but is for the glory of God, 
that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
So when he heard that he was ill, 
he remained for two days in the place where he was.
Then after this he said to his disciples, 
“Let us go back to Judea.”

When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus 
had already been in the tomb for four days.
When Martha heard that Jesus was coming,
she went to meet him; 
but Mary sat at home.
Martha said to Jesus, 
“Lord, if you had been here,
my brother would not have died.
But even now I know that whatever you ask of God,
God will give you.”
Jesus said to her,
“Your brother will rise.”
Martha said,
“I know he will rise,
in the resurrection on the last day.”
Jesus told her,
“I am the resurrection and the life; 
whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, 
and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.
Do you believe this?”
She said to him, “Yes, Lord.
I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God,
the one who is coming into the world.”

He became perturbed and deeply troubled, and said, 
“Where have you laid him?”
They said to him, “Sir, come and see.”
And Jesus wept.
So the Jews said, “See how he loved him.”
But some of them said, 
“Could not the one who opened the eyes of the blind man 
have done something so that this man would not have died?”

So Jesus, perturbed again, came to the tomb.
It was a cave, and a stone lay across it.
Jesus said, “Take away the stone.”
Martha, the dead man’s sister, said to him, 
“Lord, by now there will be a stench; 
he has been dead for four days.”
Jesus said to her,
“Did I not tell you that if you believe 
you will see the glory of God?”
So they took away the stone.
And Jesus raised his eyes and said, 
“Father, I thank you for hearing me.
I know that you always hear me; 
but because of the crowd here I have said this, 
that they may believe that you sent me.”
And when he had said this,
He cried out in a loud voice, 
“Lazarus, come out!”
The dead man came out,
tied hand and foot with burial bands, 
and his face was wrapped in a cloth.
So Jesus said to them,
“Untie him and let him go.”

Now many of the Jews who had come to Mary
and seen what he had done began to believe in him.

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.