Jesus the Fountain of Life (Tuesday, Lent 4)

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As at the time Ezekiel prophesied, the Israelites were already suffering as exiles in Babylon, a kingdom in the East. Just like other prophets, Ezekiel’s prophecy was meant to inject hope and strengthen the people during those difficult times. In fact, his name was his message: EZEKIEL (a Hebrew word) which means GOD STRENGTHENS or MAY GOD STRENGTHEN. In Ezekiel 47:1-9.12, there are certain symbolic words and actions that will help us understand the message it is trying to communicate. Let’s take note of the following words found in the prophecy: TEMPLE, WATER and EAST.


For the Jews, the Temple is a special dwelling place of God. The mention of the word “temple” must have meant a whole lot to the exiled people of Israel who had spent many years in their land of exile having no access to the Temple. We read that “water” flowed from the Temple down to the East. “Water” is a source of life. We need water/liquid to stay alive. Sown seeds need water to germinate. Without water, life ceases. Again, we read that this symbolic “water” from the Temple flows down to the East (at the mention of this word “EAST”, we have to remember that the people of Israel to whom the prophecy was originally addressed were suffering in Babylon, a kingdom in the EAST). Furthermore, we learn that as the “water” flows towards the EASTERN region of Arabah, it enters the stagnant waters of the sea (referring to the Dead Sea) and the water becomes fresh. And wherever the water flows, every living creature (both plants and animals) will live.


The prophecy was a strong message of hope to the people of Israel who found themselves in a hopeless situation in Babylon (a kingdom in the East). When they might have thought that all life was gone and that their situation had become completely “dead” and irredeemable, through Ezekiel, God assured them that “He is with them and that He remains their stronghold”. It does not matter where they have been exiled to: God’s mercy and healing (symbolically portrayed as “water” flowing from the Temple) would locate them and revive them again at the opportune time. It does not matter the extent of the “dryness” of their situation. God has the power to make the dry bones rise again (cf. Ezek. 37). The words of this prophecy are also meant to strengthen us and revive our broken spirits.


The gospel reading recounts the third sign performed by Jesus as recorded by John (cf. Jn. 5:1-16). The first sign was the Turning of Water into Wine in the Wedding at Cana (cf. Jn. 2:1-12); the second sign was the Healing of the Royal Official’s Son (cf. Jn. 4:43-54) which we read yesterday. According to John the evangelist, the miracles of Jesus are SIGNS. He did not describe them as miracles. As signs, those mighty deeds of Jesus are meant to lead people (i.e. those who experienced it and those who hear about it) to faith in Jesus.


The paralyzed man at the pool had been in that hopeless condition of paralysis for 38 years. The Jews believed that that very pool had healing powers whenever it was troubled or disturbed (or stirred) by an angel. The first person to jump into the pool received his or her healing. But this paralyzed man had no one to put him into the pool. He met Jesus and expressed his concern: “Sir, there is no one to put me into the pool whenever it is troubled.” He met the Fountain of Living Water Himself. Which other water again does he need for his healing, having met Jesus the Fountain of Life: the One whose very mission (in John 10:10) is to give us life in abundance? Jesus needed not to put him into the pool. He just effected the healing right away, and told him to pick up his pallet and go home.


We are in direct contact with Jesus, the Fountain of Life. In the Eucharist, we receive Jesus the Fountain of Life. In our prayers, we talk to Him. When we read the scriptures, we drink from Jesus the Fountain itself. Since we have Jesus, which other “water” again do we need for our healing: the healing of our brokenness and our spiritual/physical paralysis? It is still a matter of faith. The Jesus of yesterday is still the Jesus of today. Believe and you will be fine!       


Prayer:

May Jesus the Fountain of Life cleanse us, heal our paralysis and brokenness, and revive our parched hearts, Amen!


Have a fruitful Lenten journey!



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