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.