The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge our prescriptions of the proper way that change and life should happen that are often in contrast with the spontaneity of the prompting of the Spirit.
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The reading from the Prophet Ezekiel is the vision of water flowing from the Temple.
* [47:1–12] The life and refreshment produced wherever the Temple stream flows evoke the order and abundance of paradise (cf. Gn 1:20–22; 2:10–14; Ps 46:5) and represent the coming transformation Ezekiel envisions for the exiles and their land. Water signifies great blessings and evidence of the Lord’s presence (cf. Jl 2:14).
* [47:8] The sea: the Dead Sea, in which nothing can live. This vision of the Temple stream which transforms places of death into places of life is similar in purpose to the oracle of dry bones in 37:1–14: it offers the exiles hope for the future. (Ezekiel, CHAPTER 47, n.d.)
Psalm 46 is God’s Defence of His City and People.
* [Psalm 46] A song of confidence in God’s protection of Zion with close parallels to Ps 48. The dominant note in Ps 46 is sounded by the refrain, The LORD of hosts is with us (Ps 46:8, 12). The first strophe (Ps 46:2–4) sings of the security of God’s presence even in utter chaos; the second (Ps 46:5–8), of divine protection of the city from its enemies; the third (Ps 46:9–11), of God’s imposition of imperial peace. (Psalms, PSALM 46, n.d.)
In the Gospel of John, Jesus Heals on the Sabbath.
* [5:14] While the cure of the paralytic in Mk 2:1–12 is associated with the forgiveness of sins, Jesus never drew a one-to-one connection between sin and suffering (cf. Jn 9:3; Lk 12:1–5), as did Ez 18:20.
* [5:17] Sabbath observance (10) was based on God’s resting on the seventh day (cf. Gn 2:2–3; Ex 20:11). Philo and some rabbis insisted that God’s providence remains active on the sabbath, keeping all things in existence, giving life in birth and taking it away in death. Other rabbis taught that God rested from creating, but not from judging (=ruling, governing). Jesus here claims the same authority to work as the Father, and, in the discourse that follows, the same divine prerogatives: power over life and death (Jn 5:21, 24–26) and judgment (Jn 5:22, 27). (John, CHAPTER 5, n.d.)
Cindy Costanzo comments that the water’s growing depth is symbolic of her choice to grow in faith, to help others grow in their faith, and to love Jesus unconditionally.
In John 5: 1-16 Jesus commands the paralyzed man to “rise, pick up your mat, and walk.” Do I help those in need to get to the pool of healing waters? To grow in their faith? Jesus is always by our side, waiting patiently to answer our prayers, make good a sinful deed, ease our transitions throughout life. I pray to recognize Jesus’ presence throughout the day. May I be reminded that Jesus is there for me, whether it is in a challenging meeting, supporting a colleague/co-worker, driving safely in crazy morning or evening traffic, or in the silence of reflective thought. (Costanzo, 2023)
Don Schwager quotes “Christ our physician,” by Augustine of Hippo, 430-543 A.D.
"Our wound is serious, but the Physician is all-powerful. Does it seem to you so small a mercy that, while you were living in evil and sinning, He did not take away your life, but brought you to belief and forgave your sins? What I suffer is serious, but I trust the Almighty. I would despair of my mortal wound if I had not found so great a Physician." (excerpt from Sermon 352,3) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on John 5:1-16 comments that just as he did for this man, Jesus seeks us out, even when we have allowed discouragement to settle in our hearts. He doesn’t require that we respond perfectly to the grace he offers us. And even when we’ve given up asking for help or don’t recognize his presence in or around us, he is still there to help us.
The man in today’s Gospel story had “no one” to help him. But you have brothers and sisters in Christ who can. They are the hands and feet and face of Jesus who can come to your aid in your time of need. They can support you in practical ways, and they can support you spiritually by interceding for you. So if you’re struggling with disappointment or hopelessness, ask them to pray for you. And even in those moments when you feel that you have no one, don’t forget that you still have the saints and angels in heaven. Know that through their prayers, your hope in God and his loving care for you can be restored.
“Lord Jesus, help me to believe that you can and will help me.” (Meditation on John 5:1-16, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler discusses the importance to Ezekiel of the liturgy in the Temple. Archaeologists have discovered the five porticos of the Gospel in a location near a pagan temple for healing. Friar Jude is reminded of our negative tendency to criticize rather than celebrate the good that is done by those who oppose us.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, describes Timothy, Saint Paul’s devoted young disciple, as an exemplar of the beginner’s mind, which makes us both available to God and to generative relationship with others.
The first part of the name Timothy could be translated “awe-filled” or “wonderstruck.” We see this in almost all descriptions of authentic religious encounter. Every biblical theophany from Moses to Mary speaks of the recipient as being “afraid” in this sense, aware of their own finiteness and incapacity to receive what is happening. Yet the word from God is invariably the opposite: “Do not be afraid.” “Don’t waste time asking questions of worthiness,” God seems to say. “I am not concerned about worthiness (think intelligence, knowledge, purity) but about readiness and receptivity.” To be wonderstruck is to allow the distinction, to suffer one’s own littleness, and to stand under the mercy anyway. “He looks upon me in my lowliness, and all generations shall call me blessed,” Mary says (Luke 1:48). These are the chosen, who are never the same as the worthy. Yes, many are called. In fact, all are called. But very few allow themselves to be chosen (Matthew 22:14). They would rather be “worthy.” (Rohr, 2023)
We seek the openness offered by the Spirit to accept the call to be agents of love and healing in God’s time and not inhibited by our agenda.
References
Costanzo, C. (2023, March 21). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved March 21, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/032123.html
Ezekiel, CHAPTER 47. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 21, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ezekiel/47?1
John, CHAPTER 5. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 21, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/5?1
Meditation on John 5:1-16. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved March 21, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/03/21/635145/
Psalms, PSALM 46. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 21, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/46?2
Rohr, R. (2023, March 21). The Humility to Be Taught — Center for Action and Contemplation. Daily Meditations Archive: 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-humility-to-be-taught-2023-03-21/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Walk and Sin No More. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved March 21, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=mar21
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