Praying the Communion Antiphon series: Friday first week of Lent

 
Praying the Communion Antiphon

Praying the Communion Antiphon series

A Time Set Apart – Friday First Week of Lent

Turn and Live

Communion Antiphon (Ezekiel 33:11)
As I live, says the Lord God,
I have no pleasure in the death of the sinner

but that the wicked turn from his way and live.

 

Thinking About the Words

“As I live…”

This is covenant language. It is an oath. God swears by His own life. This is not a passing sentiment — it is solemn declaration.

“I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked.”

This line corrects many false images of God.

God is not eager to condemn.  He is not waiting to punish.  He does not delight in downfall. 

Some translations use the word wicked and others use the word sinner.  Both are translations of the Hebrew rashaʿ — which carries the sense of one who is in the wrong, one out of alignment, one acting unjustly.

“Wicked” feels strong — Old Testament covenant language.

It evokes:

• Golden calf.
• Desert grumbling.
• False gods.
• Breaking covenant.
• Ten Commandments as boundary lines of life.

“Sinner” feels more personal and relational.

 

“But that the wicked turn… and live.”

The heart of the verse is not death — it is turning.

In Hebrew, the word suggests repentance, yes — but more literally, a change of direction. A return.

Lent is not about fear of death.  It is about movement toward life. Notice: this is prayed at Communion. The One who gives Himself to us declares that He desires life for us. As we receive Christ, we are receiving the One who longs for our turning, not our failure. This is not harshness. It is invitation.

We may ponder: What is turning back to me?

In Hebrew, the word is shuv — return.  It is directional. Notice something beautiful:

God says He desires that the wicked “turn from his way and live.”

The emphasis is not on moral accounting.  It is on direction.

Lent is not:  “Prove you are not wicked.”  It is:“Turn and live.”

In the Old Testament we think of the desert generation. During their time through the desert, they turned away — toward fear, toward idols.  In the New Testament, the disciples during the Passion except John ran, denied and hid.

Were they wicked/sinners? Were they afraid?  Peter wept bitterly — and that was the beginning of his turning.  When we think of the parable of the prodigal son , the younger son says “I will arise and go…” That is shuv.

Turning begins in the heart before it becomes visible in behaviour.

He died and rose so that we could live. Am I alive or in the grave?

That is deeply Lenten.  Sometimes “wickedness” is not dramatic evil.

Sometimes it is:

• Numbness.
• Resignation.
• Spiritual fatigue.
• Living as if resurrection hasn’t happened.

Turning might mean:

• Leaving self-protection.
• Leaving pride.
• Leaving indifference.
• Leaving despair.

Ezekiel also speaks elsewhere of:

“I will give you a new heart.”

Turning is not self-generated moral strength.  It is responding to divine invitation.

 

And the Eucharistic Context

This is the key. At Communion, we hear: “I have no pleasure in your death.”

The One who says this is about to give Himself. He dies so that we may live.

So “turn and live” is not threat.  It is promise.

 

Reflection

• Do I secretly imagine God takes pleasure in my failure?
• Where is the Lord inviting me to turn rather than remain stuck?
• Is my repentance rooted in fear — or in the desire for life?
• What one small turning could I make today?

Friday in Lent often feels weighty. This antiphon is not heavy. It is hopeful. It places life at the centre.-not just life for life sake, but life with Jesus.  As I live. When we pray it and not say it at communion

 

 Prayer

Living God,
You desire that I turn and live.
Give me courage to change direction
and walk toward life in You.