Do You See What God Wants You To See?

Tuesday of the 4th week of Lent

Ezekiel 47:1-9,12
John 5:1-3,5-16

In today’s first reading, Ezekiel is describing one of his visions where the angel carries him to the “temple of the Lord” and there he sees water flowing from the temple. Note that when the water from the temple comes to the sea it makes it fresh water.

This water has the power to change salty water into fresh water. It has the power to grow plants and trees where “Their leaves shall not fade, nor their fruit fail”. God’s river does not need any feeder streams.
While Ezekiel saw all the abundance that came from the water that flowed from the Temple of the Lord, the man at the pool of Bethesda in today’s gospel passage was able to experience the healing power that came from the Son of God.

From John’s gospel, we are made to know that the waters of Bethesda have such a healing power that besides this man, there are many others with various conditions who are all competing for this one chance where they would get healed.

But as it is, here is a man who has been ill for thirty seven years lying there incapable of putting himself into the pool. Jesus offers him healing with his Word: “Rise, take up your mat, and walk”.

With his healing, Christ Himself becomes the new form of the Bethesda waters, which heals, and this time around, without the need to compete in being the first to enter into ‘His pool’; the salvation which He offered to the mankind. That is why, rather than help this man get into the pool, He simply utters healing words, and the man is instantly healed.

Christ, the lamb of God came to earth and offered himself to be baptized in the River Jordan for our righteousness and the gushing water that flows from his side on the cross of Calvary offers divine mercy into the hearts that accept his salvation.

Yet, as it is in the case of Ezekiel who wades through water that are at various levels; and so it is with our faith journey; it is a gradual process in which we should daily immerse ourselves until we get to the point of swimming in it!

In what ways can we open our hearts to Jesus Christ for healing? What needs to be healed within us?  Do I rely on God or something else? If we are faithful to God, lent therefore becomes an opportunity to rediscover ourselves and journey with the Lord. Let the river flow so that life and fruitfulness may be brought forth.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ. I humbly approach the throne of grace in order to obtain mercy and favors from you. May my spiritual weaknesses not be a hindrance to your saving love. Let me flow in faith like a river. Help me O Lord in the time of need and grant me the grace to walk in your precepts. Amen.

Fr Joseph Osho