March 12, Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Daily Readings: Ezekiel 47:1–9, 12; John 5:1–16.
Ezekiel sees a vision when he goes to the entrance of the temple. The temple, or house of God, is the river's source. It will bless the people of Israel. This water is capable of promoting life, growth, vitality, hope, refreshment, and security. The high volume of water, the depth of the river, and its continuous flow up to the sea demonstrate its capability to heal and make the trees bear fruit. The river's source transforms salty sea water into fresh water. Lifeless water heals. In this water, a large number of fish thrive.
One can also interpret this vision as a metaphor for deeper spiritual meaning. The Word of God can be likened to healing and life-promoting water. Fruits serve as both food and medicine. One of the things that comes out very powerfully in this text is God’s concern for ecology. God’s care for the environment is an age-old science in the Bible that human beings do not seem to pay adequate attention to.
Jesus is in Jerusalem for the Jewish festival. The water in Bethesda's pool at Sheep Gate has healing properties. The sick person must enter first when the water is stirred up. The man, who has been lying down for thirty-eight years, complains that he has no one to help him. When Jesus is present, there is no need for the sick man to get into the pool.
Jesus is the living water who not only quenches the thirst of the thirsty but is also capable of healing. Jesus heals the man with just one word. This healing, in the context of the Lenten Season and the Holy Week close by, draws the wrath of the Jews, who think that healing should not be done on Sabbath days. The context of healing reinforces the notion that human welfare is more important than adherence to certain rules and regulations. God is the source of all the laws. There is nothing beyond him.
Holy Mother Church honors the memory of the martyr St. Serafina, a virgin. Due to her paralytic illness, she remained in bed almost all her life.
Call to Action for Catholic Living: Jesus is a wounded healer. My wounds should help me understand other people's wounds. Am I open to this possibility? Would I cooperate with God?
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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