Monday, March 31, 2014

Frederick, Maryland, United States - Daily Mass Reading & Meditation for Tuesday, 1 April 2014 - Catholic Meditations

Frederick, Maryland, United States - Daily Mass Reading & Meditation for Tuesday, 1 April 2014 - Catholic Meditations
Meditations: Ezekiel 47: He brought me back to the door of the house; and behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward; (for the forefront of the house was toward the east;) and the waters came down from under, from the right side of the house, on the south of the altar. 2 Then he brought me out by the way of the gate northward, and led me round by the way outside to the outer gate, by the way of the gate that looks toward the east; and behold, there ran out waters on the right side. 3 When the man went out eastward with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits,[a] and he caused me to pass through the waters, waters that were to the ankles. 4 Again he measured one thousand, and caused me to pass through the waters, waters that were to the knees. Again he measured one thousand, and caused me to pass through waters that were to the waist. 5 Afterward he measured one thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass through; for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed through. 6 He said to me, Son of man, have you seen? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the bank of the river. 7 Now when I had returned, behold, on the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other. 8 Then he said to me, These waters flow out toward the eastern region, and will go down into the Arabah; and they will go toward the sea; and flow into the sea which will be made to flow out; and the waters will be healed. 9 It shall happen, that every living creature which swarms, in every place where the rivers come, shall live; and there shall be a very great multitude of fish; for these waters have come there, and the waters of the sea shall be healed, and everything shall live wherever the river comes.
Footnotes:
a. Ezekiel 47:3 a cubit is the length from the tip of the middle finger to the elbow on a man's arm, or about 18 inches or 46 centimeters.
12 By the river on its bank, on this side and on that side, shall grow every tree for food, whose leaf shall not wither, neither shall its fruit fail: it shall produce new fruit every month, because its waters issue out of the sanctuary; and its fruit shall be for food, and its leaf for healing.
4th Week of Lent
Wherever the river flows, every sort of living creature that can multiply shall live. (Ezekiel 47:9)
Did you catch the theme flowing through all three of today’s readings? It’s water! Water is an amazing natural element. It’s simple—just two hydrogen atoms paired with one oxygen atom—but it can give rise to the most complicated forms of life imaginable. Water is fun to splash around in during the summer, but under the right conditions, it’s incredibly powerful and dangerous. It’s so common that we drink it every day, but scuba divers who venture to the ocean floor often feel as if they’re visiting another world. It’s no wonder that water is often used as a symbol for God. It’s vital, gentle, life-giving, exciting, and dangerous—just like him!
Have a little fun with today’s readings. Think about how all three of them are inviting you to dive into the living waters of God. Imagine yourself experiencing each unique “aquascape.” And think about how you have the chance to explore new depths of God’s love and grace.
Ezekiel’s river. In his vision, Ezekiel saw a mighty river producing all sorts of life. But he wasn’t content to sit on the riverbank, and neither should you be. Wade into the river that is the Spirit, and let him sweep you away. Welcome him into your heart, and let him prepare you for a harvest of spiritual fruit—love, joy, peace, and all the rest.
Joyful streams. “There is a stream whose runlets gladden the city of God” (Psalm 46:5). Even in tough times, the psalmist knew he could escape into the joyful creeks and brooks of God’s presence. God is full of joy, and he invites you to find your sanctuary in him. Roam and splash through his streams, and leave your burdens behind.
The healing pool. The Jewish people believed that the waters of the pool of Bethsaida were gently stirred by an angel who could heal sickness. Imagine taking a dip! See yourself resting in God’s healing power. Let him show you new depths in his mercy and forgiveness. Bring your sins to him, and watch them dissolve. Dive into his grace, and receive the healing he offers for your body, for the wounds in your heart, and for any of your relationships that are strained.
“Lord, today I want to explore more of you.” Amen.
Psalm 46: 2 Therefore we won’t be afraid, though the earth changes,
    though the mountains are shaken into the heart of the seas;
3     though its waters roar and are troubled,
    though the mountains tremble with their swelling.
Selah.
5 God is within her. She shall not be moved.
    God will help her at dawn.
6 The nations raged. The kingdoms were moved.
    He lifted his voice, and the earth melted.
8 Come, see Yahweh’s works,
    what desolations he has made in the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth.
    He breaks the bow, and shatters the spear.
    He burns the chariots in the fire.
John 5: After these things, there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now in Jerusalem by the sheep gate, there is a pool, which is called in Hebrew, “Bethesda”, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, or paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water; 4 for an angel went down at certain times into the pool, and stirred up the water. Whoever stepped in first after the stirring of the water was healed of whatever disease he had. 5 A certain man was there, who had been sick for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had been sick for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to be made well?”
7 The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I’m coming, another steps down before me.”
8 Jesus said to him, “Arise, take up your mat, and walk.”
9 Immediately, the man was made well, and took up his mat and walked.
Now it was the Sabbath on that day. 10 So the Jews said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath. It is not lawful for you to carry the mat.”
11 He answered them, “He who made me well, the same said to me, ‘Take up your mat, and walk.’”
12 Then they asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your mat, and walk’?”
13 But he who was healed didn’t know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a crowd being in the place.
14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “Behold, you are made well. Sin no more, so that nothing worse happens to you.”
15 The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. 16 For this cause the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill him, because he did these things on the Sabbath.
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