THE HEALING WATER

Thursday of the 4 week of Lent

Eze 47:1-9, 12, Ps 46, Jn 5:1-16

The Prophet Ezekiel narrates his vision of the life-giving stream. “And wherever the river goes every living creature which swarms will live, and there will be very many fish; for this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes.” A similar water is found in the pool of Bethzatha, where many sick people gathered to receive healing. The Gospel of today tells us about one at this pool, who had been sick for 38 years. He was so sick that he needed help to access the water when it was troubled before any other jumped in...Then Jesus stepped in.

He said to the sick man, “Rise, take up your pallet and walk.”  Jesus offered the man the healing he was hoping to get from the pool. Here is the fulfilment of the vision of the prophet. Jesus is that living fountain that gives life and brings healing. “Oh, come to the water all you who are thirsty...” (Is 55:1). And Jesus Himself declared, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me!” (Jn 7:37).

Now Ezekiel’s life-giving river that flows into the Arabah is here. We need not look elsewhere. Jesus confers on us the promises hidden in the ancient vision of the fountain of life.

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Our Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic Church,

Amowo-Odofin, Lagos.

28^th March, 2017.