“Down and Out”
Originally this term was used to describe a boxer who had been knocked down and counted out. For him, the fight was over, and he had lost. That phrase is often used today to describe a person in very unfortunate circumstances, like the street people who have no job, no home, no food, no family, and no hope.
Today’s readings (Ezekiel 37:12-14; Romans 8:8-11; John 11:1-45) tell us that while we may be down, we don’t have to be out. Ezekiel prophesied that the defeated and exiled Israelites would be restored to their homeland; “dry bones” would take on muscle, flesh, and life. Also, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. Therefore as long as we have a good relationship with the Lord, we will never be counted out.
- Fr. Carl
“God is the source of life; thanks to His breath, man has life.
God’s breath sustains the entire journey of our life on earth.”
~ Pope Francis, Holy Mass for Evangelium Vitae Day, 2013
