Daily Readings - Tue Mar 13 2018
First Reading - Ezekiel 47.1-9, 12
Ezekiel
1Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.2Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side.3And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles.4Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.5Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.6And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river.7Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other.8Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.9And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.12And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.
Gospel - John 5.1-16
John
1After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.2Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.3In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.4For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.5And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.6When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?7The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.8Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.9And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.10The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.11He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.12Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?13And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.14Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.15The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.16And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of healing, renewal, and the life-giving power of God’s presence in our lives. In Ezekiel’s vision, the prophet describes a river flowing from the Temple, bringing life to the desert and healing to all it touches. This river symbolizes the restorative power of God, who transforms barrenness into fertility and despair into hope. The Gospel reading complements this imagery as Jesus heals a man who had been paralyzed for thirty-eight years. Despite the man’s long wait and the challenges of the situation, Jesus’ command to “rise, take up your stretcher, and walk” demonstrates His authority over human limitations and His desire to restore wholeness to those in need.
Both readings are set in contexts where hope seems distant. Ezekiel’s vision comes during a time of exile and despair for the Israelites, while the Gospel story takes place in a society governed by strict rules and traditions. Yet, in both cases, God’s power transcends human constraints. The river in Ezekiel flows even into the salt waters of the Dead Sea, transforming them into a source of life, while Jesus heals on the Sabbath, challenging the rigid interpretations of the law. These stories remind us that God’s grace is not bound by our circumstances or limitations. His healing and renewal are always available, even in the most unlikely places.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, we are called to trust in God’s plan and to seek His healing presence. Like the man at the Pool of Bethesda, we may feel stuck or unable to move forward on our own. But Jesus invites us to rise above our fears and doubts, to take up our crosses, and to walk in faith. The river of Ezekiel’s vision reminds us that God’s grace flows into every area of our lives, bringing fruitfulness and vitality. Let us open ourselves to this grace, allowing it to transform us and to flow through us to others. In doing so, we become instruments of healing and hope in a world that often feels barren and lifeless.