Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent



There is a stream whose runlets gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High. God is in its midst; it shall not be disturbed; God will help it at the break of dawn.


We build cities near sources of fresh water. Other resources are necessary but water is at the top of the list. No water = no city.

Mount Zion had a natural spring of water large enough to supply ancient Jerusalem. Citizens built sturdy homes around it, and then a fortress, a temple and a palace for the king. This stream, sometimes called Bethesda, was the heart of the city. Not only did it supply water, it provided a place where everyone might come every day to socialize and do business. It was the life of the city.

If we can imagine a man as a city, we might understand Jesus’ Sacred Heart as the well-spring of our life:
On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and exclaimed, “Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as scripture says: ‘Rivers of living water will flow from within him.’”

If we are baptized in water only once, we nonetheless return to the water often for drinking and bathing. We cannot live without both. They are refreshment and life.

In today’s reading from Ezekiel the prophet testifies to the life-giving, healing water which will one day inspire the whole earth. Beginning as a trickle from the side of the temple – like the water which poured from Jesus’ side on Calvary – it will rapidly grow into a mighty river of blessings. On its banks are trees with healing properties: “Their fruit shall serve for food, and their leaves for medicine.”

In today’s gospel we see how Jesus displaces the fountain at Bethesda. In Saint John’s first chapter, John’s baptism in water was replaced by Jesus’ anointing in the spirit; in the second chapter he changed the weary old water of Jewish purification to the new, spirited wine of joy; in the fourth chapter he satisfied the Samaritans' thirst by their ecstatic conversation. In this fifth chapter he heals a man’s ability to walk; doing with a word what Jerusalem’s pool could not accomplish. Through these signs we recognize Jesus as our Life, more vital and more irreplaceable than water.

As we approach the baptism of catechumens during the Easter Vigil and the annual renewal of our baptismal vows, we go to the stream of prayer daily for refreshment, healing and vitality. We pray that rivers of living water will flow from within our hearts.

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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.

Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.

I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.

You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.