Readings from: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040219.cfm
The images of water in both readings today are life-giving. We’re not hearing any Lenten ‘repent’ messages, just messages of hope and new life. In Ezekiel, the water began as a stream and eventually became a river that gave life to everything it soaked and splattered…trees, vegetation, fish, and even salted seas. And in the gospel, the water in the pool of Bethesda was believed to have life-giving, healing powers, otherwise, why would a lame man sit there for 38 years waiting to be cured?
In our first reading, the angel leads Ezechial into deeper and deeper water in a rather elaborate story. He goes from ankle deep water to knee, then waist deep waters. What’s the message?
A reflection by Mike Hullah called “The River” gives some insight about this scripture. He suggested that just as the prophet was led into ever deepening waters, so does God want us to be led into a deeper spiritual relationship with our Lord.
Wading into ankle deep water is the first step of faith that we take in our relationship with God. For us Catholics, this relationship begins at our baptism. Some people, however, never go any further in developing their faith in God or taking advantages of all the blessings that can result. They want to be in control and so miss opportunities from God who wants so much more for us.
When we wade in knee deep water, we’re feeling the power of the water as it rushes by, but we’re still standing on two feet. This image represents the person who is learning to be dependent on God, who prays and tries to live a good and moral life. But they’re still in control and not being totally supported by the river of God’s love.
Then in our story, Ezechial takes a braver plunge into waist deep waters. Now one sees more of the river and less of the person. Spiritually, this means getting stronger in our faith. Others can see more of God and less of us as we serve others in God’s name, but we haven’t surrendered completely yet.
Finally, the angel takes Ezechial to a place where the river is high and the only way to cross it is by swimming and being completely immersed in the water. Ezechial would literally be all wet, way over his head, and totally dependent on God for life. Our story tells us then that wherever this river flows and whatever it touches, abundant life flourishes. Similarly, when we’re immersed in God, abundant life flourishes in us.
Our goal, then, is to learn to surrender completely to God, learn to trust in God’s mercy, and learn to be immersed in God’s love. Lent is our special time to examine our relationship with God and ask how deep we are in God’s lifegiving water…Ankle? Knee? Waist…or more?
