Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12

John 5:1-16

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

 

Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Isaiah 65:17-21

John 4:43-54

Hope - Hold On Pain Ends

Dear Brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, the readings presented to us today lead us to establish “Hope” in our lives. Hope in general, reduces our helplessness and stress and increases our happiness and quality of life. In simple words, it helps us move forward despite the difficulties with a belief of better days to come. Whereas Biblical Hope is to have a belief and confidence in God’s promises and faithfulness.

In today’s first reading, Prophet Isaiah offers to the people of Israel a Hope of future Messianic age, in which as God promised “look! I am going to create new heavens and new earth”. God promises a new heaven and new earth and new jerusalem. Messianic Age /world refers to a :

●     A world with life and prosperity

●     A world filled with joy and peace

●     A world without weeping, sadeness, pain and death.

In the present times, the world is completely polluted by sin and sinfulness, therefore in the Messianic Age there will be complete renewal of the world in which the past is totally erased by the hand of God.

To put it plainly, Messianic Age is going to bring better times, better futures and better lives Individually, Socially and the whole world as a whole (a complete transformation).   

In fact, this is what Jesus proclaimed through his personality and his ministry, In him  is the Messianic Age. That's why St. Paul says  “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17). God has formed us and made us in his image and likeness, unique in our personality, but this was marred by our sins. However God is capable of once again creating us anew (the New US)

An example is found in today’s Gospel. Jesus restores the life of the dying son of the Official. It was not just a physical healing but a spiritual healing too. When the official came with a request to heal his son, he believed in Jesus. And when Jesus said “ go home!your son will live”. He set off for his home believing the words of Jesus because Jesusò’words have hope.  The power of Jesus' words and combined with the faith of the official brought a miracle in his family. The whole household was made anew with the gift of healing, life and blessing of Jesus.

This is what Jesus came to do with us. We are threatened with death due to our sinfulness and He came to save our souls and offer us new hope and new life in the face of our inevitable death for Jesus said “ I am the resurrection and the Life”    

 

 

It is a known fact that There will be pains, sickness, and tragedies but God offers us a hope of new life, if we are firm in our faith.

 

For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—oracle of the LORD—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

You are my refuge and shield;in your word I hope. (Psalm 119:114)

 FR. JAYARAJU MANTHENA OCD