Daily Readings - Tue Apr 02 2019
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.
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
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful images of healing and transformation, reminding us of God’s restorative power and His desire to bring life to a world in need. In Ezekiel’s vision, the prophet describes a river flowing from the temple, symbolizing the life-giving power of God’s presence. This river, which begins as a trickle and grows into a mighty torrent, brings fertility to the desert and healing to all it touches. The trees along its banks bear fruit continuously, and even the saltwater of the sea is made fresh, signifying the transformative power of God’s grace. Ezekiel’s vision points to a future era of abundant life and healing, a messianic age where God’s presence is fully known.
In the Gospel, we see this vision of healing fulfilled in Jesus Christ. At the Pool of Bethesda, Jesus encounters a man who has been paralyzed for thirty-eight years. Despite the man’s long wait and the limitations of the healing customs of his time, Jesus offers him immediate and complete healing. The man, once unable to move, rises, takes up his mat, and walks. This miracle, performed on the Sabbath, challenges the legalistic mindset of the Pharisees and reveals Jesus’ divine authority. Just as Ezekiel’s river flows from the temple, Jesus’ healing flows from His own divine life, breaking through human limitations and bringing restoration to the broken.
These readings invite us to reflect on how we encounter God’s healing in our own lives. Like the man at Bethesda, we may feel stuck, waiting for healing or transformation. But Jesus calls us to trust in His power and to step out in faith, even when it disrupts our expectations or routines. Ezekiel’s vision reminds us that God’s healing is not just for individuals but for the entire world. As we open ourselves to the flow of God’s grace, we become part of that river of life, bearing fruit in every season and bringing healing to those around us. Let us ask for the courage to embrace the transformative power of God, to trust in His timing, and to live as witnesses of His abundant life.