Breaking the Word

4^th week in Lent, Wednesday – 22^nd March 2023 – Isaiah 49,8-15; Jn 5,17-30

Intensity of Love Remains

In the first reading, Isaiah is speaking to those in exile. As they experience the darkest day of their lives in hardship and bitterness, the prophet reassures them with God’s Word. He declares to them that better times are ahead. He was comforting them with the hope that God would restore them to the promised land and would take care of them, nourish them and lead them back on their journey home. The prophet says, “At the time of my favour I have answered you.” It is a reference probably to the year of Jubilee, wherein the return will bring about the same restoration of land for the people as the celebration of jubilee did in earlier times. In fact, the exile was a result of the people’s unfaithfulness, but God was not going to hold that against them forever. The people of Zion had taught, “Yahweh has abandoned me, the Lord has forgotten me.” But they are utterly wrong. God does not forget his people. He is full of tenderness and compassion. God will care for the chosen people more than a loving mother cares for the child of her womb. One thing is needed, we must turn to God and seek His divine will, then God will be there with his unchanging intensity of love to sustain and lead his people forward.

4^th week in Lent, Tuesday – 21^st March 2023 – Ezekiel 47,1-9.12; Jn 5,1-3a.5-16

Wholesome Life

In the first reading, the prophet sees water flowing from the base of the temple in Jerusalem. As the prophet walks along the little stream of water gains volume and flow. It becomes ankle deep, then knee deep, then waist deep, then a huge river which can only be crossed by swimming. The water keeps moving. It flows from the south and east sides of the temple down the steep valley toward the southeast and eventually down to the Arabah and finally into the Dead Sea, the salt waters where nothing will grow. As the water flows out in the parched and barren land to the southeast, it gives life to all sorts of plants and animals that are nearby. As it becomes a river, a force of water flows into the Dead Sea to refresh and renew all that is in it. Water signifies great blessings and a symbol of life that God gives to all creation. Here the image of miraculous water flowing from the house of God gains power and truly gives life and healing. The power of the water is such that, as it flows into the Dead Sea, the lowest (1,300 feet below sea level) and incredibly salty (about 35 percent), the sea flourishes with fish, and fruit trees of every kind growing along its shores. Literally, this imagery highlights that the river not only gives life but will “heal” the waters of the sea.