Daily Readings - Tue Mar 21 2023
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 symbols of healing and renewal. Ezekiel's vision in chapter 47 describes a life-giving river flowing from the Temple, transforming the desert into a lush, fruitful land. This river, which begins as a trickle and grows into a mighty torrent, symbolizes God's restorative power and His promise to bring life to barren places. The Gospel from John 5 complements this imagery with the story of Jesus healing a man who had been sick for 38 years. Despite the man's long wait by the Pool of Bethesda, Jesus intervenes directly, demonstrating His divine authority and compassion.
Both readings emphasize the transformative power of God's presence in our lives. Ezekiel's river represents the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, who brings spiritual renewal and healing. Similarly, Jesus' miracle at the Pool of Bethesda shows that true healing comes not from human effort or tradition but from encountering the living God. The man's inability to reach the water on his own highlights our need for divine intervention and grace. Just as the river in Ezekiel's vision flows from the sanctuary, Jesus, the true Temple of God's presence, flows into our lives to bring restoration and wholeness.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Where are the barren places in our lives that need the refreshing waters of God's grace? How can we trust more deeply in His power to heal and transform us? Just as the man at the Pool of Bethesda was called to rise and walk, we too are invited to step out in faith, leaving behind the comforts of our limitations and embracing the fullness of life that Jesus offers. May we, like the trees in Ezekiel's vision, bear fruit that endures, and may our lives be a testament to the healing power of God's love.