READINGS:
1 R : Ez 47 : 1 - 9, 12.
Ps 45 : 2 - 3, 5 - 6, 8 - 9.
Gos : Jn 5 : 1 - 16.
AH AH !
ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL IMAGERY OF BAPTISMAL GRACE FLOWING LIKE A RIVER.
THE PASCHAL VIGIL,THE MOTHER OF ALL VIGILS IS FAST APPROACHING. DURING THE VIGIL WE WILL BE SPRINKLED WITH THE NEW BAPTISMAL WATERS.
READ THE FIRST READING AGAIN.
SEE HOW THE SMALL STREAM/ SPRING BECOMES A MIGHTY RIVER TRANSFORMING LAND BRINGING ABOUT NEW LIFE.
THE RIVER WATER BRINGS ABOUT NEWNESS IN THE SEA OF ARABAH.
ON BOTH SIDES OF THE RIVER ARE; FRUIT BEARING TREES WHOSE LEAVES ARE MEDICINAL.
THEY BEAR FRUIT EVERY MONTH. THEIR SOURCE OF STRENGTH IS THE RIVER WATER.
ISN'T IT A PERFECT IMAGERY OF BAPTISMAL GRACE THROUGH WHICH WE BECOME ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE FURTHER SACRAMENTAL GRACES.
IF WE SIN IT IS LIKE PUTTING A BLOCK ON THE FREE FLOWING STREAM. SOME YEARS AGO THERE USED TO BE OPEN WELLS.
SOMETIMES MUD FROM ABOVE WOULD BLOCK THE STREAM AT THE SOURCE. THEN ONE HAD TO REMOVE IT AND WATER WOULD BE RELEASED.
SIMILARLY, SIN WOULD BLOCK GRACE.
IN THE GOSPEL, THERE IS A MIRACLE RELATED TO WATER. THE CURE OF THE INVALID SICK FOR 38 YEARS.
JESUS ASKS HIM WHETHER HE HAS THE DESIRE TO GET CURED. HE WILLINGLY AGREES AND TELLS THE REASON OF HIS LONG WAITING. INSTANTLY HE IS CURED.
WHATEVER MAY BE THE REASONS FOR YOUR WANDERINGS AND WAITINGS, IF YOU COME TO JESUS YOU HAVE INSTANT WELL BEING. PLEASE DO NOT RESTRICT IT ONLY TO EARTHLY WELL BEING.
