Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Life in Abundance with the Presence of God
The prophet Ezekiel describes a beautiful experience of a vision with a significant meaning. The three important terms are Temple (God), Water and Abundance.
The vision was, a Life giving stream of Water flowing from underneath of the Temple gushing into different directions. Wherever the water flows there is abundance of life (lush green trees/healthy plants at the banks of the river); as the river flows to river Jordan and streams into Dead Sea (which has high salt percentage which make it unsustainable for the sea living organism). However, with the water flowing from the Temple, as it enters it makes the water fresh and viable for life and able to sustain life.
It beautifully indicates the relation between God and the faithful.
The source of the water is the Temple, in other words God who is the source of Life. as the water flows from the source of Life, naturally wherever the flow brings life and prosperity in abundance. It’s so powerful even in our life too, when the water of life, the experience of God streams into our life, there are undoubtedly blessings in abundance, it brings a sense of freshness, prosperity and health and wealth. Even if we are like the dead sea in our life, without flourishing, life less, the word of God, the presence and experience of God makes us sustain. If there is no water of life, the presence of God in our life, there is dryness and desert like life (Revelation 22:1).
In the Gospel, we see something interesting that the Water is linked to the healing. When Jesus attends a festival at Jerusalem, goes to a pool called Bethesda (sheep gate). There are many sick people, blind, lame and paralysed waiting for a movement in water. It is believed that healing powers when the water is stirred up on certain occasions. Anyone who goes first is healed of their afflictions and ailments.
Jesus asks a lame person, “ Do you want to be well”? An important question applies to us. Because we are in a similar position of blindness, lame and paralysed. We are blind to see the reality, the value of our life and the truth of God. We are also lame and paralysed to walk in the ways of the Lord, the right path which leads us to life in abundance. That’s why Jesus says “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”(John 10:10). That’s why he who comes to him will never thirst, will never lack the blessings.
When Jesus meets him for the first time, orders him to rise, pick up the mat and walk. Jesus gives physical healing. Then when Jesus meets him again and orders him sin no more, You are made well physically and to be spiritually well the command is to not to sin.
And that our physical wellbeing must also be in harmony with our spiritual well being. Then as a whole person we become complete in God and our life is a blessed one.
Let us during this lent in the remaining days pose this question, Do I want to be well?
The presence of God has the answer to the question.
The water of blessing and life is initiated through our Baptism.
Let us physically and spiritually be blessed with the water flowing the Temple of God (the Presence of God)
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.(John 6:35)
Whoever possesses the Son has life; whoever does not possess the Son of God does not have life. (1 John 5:12)
Fr. Jayaraju Manthena OCD
