Daily Readings - Tue Mar 12 2024
Ezekiel
1And he turned me back to the gate of the house. And behold, waters went out, from under the threshold of the house, toward the east. For the face of the house looked toward the east. But the waters descended on the right side of the temple, toward the south of the altar2And he led me out, along the way of the north gate, and he turned me back toward the way outside the exterior gate, the way which looked toward the east. And behold, the waters overflowed on the right side3Then the man who held the rope in his hand departed toward the east, and he measured one thousand cubits. And he led me forward, through the water, up to the ankles4And again he measured one thousand, and he led me forward, through the water, up to the knees5And he measured one thousand, and he led me forward, through the water, up to the waist. And he measured one thousand, into a torrent, through which I was not able to pass. For the waters had risen to become a profound torrent, which was not able to be crossed6And he said to me: "Son of man, certainly you have seen." And he led me out, and he turned me back to the bank of the torrent7And when I had turned myself around, behold, on the bank of the torrent, there were very many trees on both sides8And he said to me: "These waters, which go forth toward the hillocks of sand to the east, and which descend to the plains of the desert, will enter the sea, and will go out, and the waters will be healed9And every living soul that moves, wherever the torrent arrives, will live. And there will be more than enough fish, after these waters have arrived there, and they will be healed. And all things will live, where the torrent arrives12And above the torrent, on its banks on both sides, every kind of fruit tree will rise up. Their foliage will not fall away, and their fruit will not fail. Every single month they will bring forth first-fruits. For its waters will go forth from the sanctuary. And its fruits will be for food, and its leaves will be for medicine.
John
1After these things, there was a feast day of the Jews, and so Jesus ascended to Jerusalem2Now at Jerusalem is the Pool of Evidence, which in Hebrew is known as the Place of Mercy; it has five porticos3Along these lay a great multitude of the sick, the blind, the lame, and the withered, waiting for the movement of the water4Now at times an Angel of the Lord would descend into the pool, and so the water was moved. And whoever descended first into the pool, after the motion of the water, he was healed of whatever infirmity held him5And there was a certain man in that place, having been in his infirmity for thirty-eight years6Then, when Jesus had seen him reclining, and when he realized that he had been afflicted for a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be healed?7The invalid answered him: "Lord, I do not have any man to put me in the pool, when the water has been stirred. For as I am going, another descends ahead of me.8Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your stretcher, and walk.9And immediately the man was healed. And he took up his stretcher and walked. Now this day was the Sabbath10Therefore, the Jews said to the one who had been healed: "It is the Sabbath. It is not lawful for you to take up your stretcher.11He answered them, "The one who healed me, he said to me, ‘Take up your stretcher and walk.’ 12Therefore, they questioned him, "Who is that man, who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk?’ 13But the one who had been given health did not know who it was. For Jesus had turned aside from the crowd gathered in that place14Afterwards, Jesus found him in the temple, and he said to him: "Behold, you have been healed. Do not choose to sin further, otherwise something worse may happen to you.15This man went away, and he reported to the Jews that it was Jesus who had given him health16Because of this, the Jews were persecuting Jesus, for he was doing these things on the Sabbath
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful symbols of healing and transformation. Ezekiel's vision of a river flowing from the Temple signifies God's life-giving presence, transforming the land and bringing fertility even to the Dead Sea. This river, with its medicinal leaves and abundant fruit, represents the divine grace that revitalizes all it touches. In John's Gospel, Jesus heals a man paralyzed for 38 years at the Pool of Bethesda, demonstrating His divine authority and compassion. This act, performed on the Sabbath, highlights Jesus' priority on human need over tradition, sparking conflict with religious leaders.
Both readings share a common theme of water as a source of healing and life. Ezekiel's river prefigures the transformative power of Jesus, who brings spiritual and physical restoration. The river's flow to the desert mirrors Jesus' outreach to those in spiritual barrenness, offering hope and renewal. The man at Bethesda, despite his long wait, finds healing through Jesus, teaching us to trust in God's timing and presence, even in despair.
The moral lesson here is one of faith and trust in God's providence. Ezekiel's vision encourages us to believe in God's ability to transform desolation into abundance. Jesus' healing at Bethesda shows that His grace is not limited to the physical but extends to the spiritual, calling us to seek healing and embrace God's transformative power in our lives. Let us open ourselves to this grace, allowing it to flow into our hearts and bring forth abundant life.