THE HEALING WATERS

Meditation for Tuesday of the 4^th Week of Lent

(Ezk 47:1-9, 12; Jn 5:1-16)

Prophet Ezekiel narrates his vision of the water issuing from the temple. “And the water was flowing down from below the right side of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar towards east.” The water rose to a deep river, impossible to be crossed over. This river flows down into the Arabah, and when it enters any stagnant waters of the sea, the water will become fresh. Wherever the river goes every living creature, which swims will live, and there will be many fish. On the banks of this river, all kinds of trees will grow, and their leaves will not wither for they will be fresh every season since the water from the sanctuary flows down to them. “Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.”

The pool of Bethzatha in Jerusalem resembles the river in the vision of Ezekiel. It was said to have healing powers, and may sick people gathered around it. A man was there for thirty-eight years but could not get chance to throw himself inside the pool when it is stirred. Jesus said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” For the man the answer was so obvious. And he poured out his frustration at Jesus, detailing all his efforts and commitment to receive healing but was not able to make it. I guess he probably hoped that He might help throw him inside the pool, for that was what he said he needed. But he got more than he bargained for...

Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your pallet, and walk.” And he was healed instantly! Imagine how Jesus did for the man what Ezekiel saw in the vision of the water flowing from the sanctuary, and what the man hoped from the pool of Bethzatha! Think about the fountain of life that flowed from Jesus and healed the man; He is the living water (Jn 4:13-14). The vision of Ezekiel is here fulfilled. If we are watered by the fountain of grace flowing from Jesus Christ, we shall have fullness of life, in season and out of season—in sickness and health, in poverty and richness, single or married, in life or death—and we shall always be fruitful.

The good news is that Jesus comes down to meet us with us, loaded with these blessings and asking, “Do you want to be healed?” Let us in meditation and prayer shift our attention to Him, and empty our aspirations with sentiments of affective love and devotion, powered by faith and trust that the divine wellspring is flowing down to us, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Tuesday March 16^th, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com