“GENEROUS LENT 2017”
Lenten Reflections
Tuesday, 28th March 2017,
Fourth Week of Lent
Ez 47: 1-9, 12;
Ps 46: 2-3, 5-6, 8-9;
Jn 5: 1-16.
Today, Ezekiel gives us a beautiful image of rebirth and renewal! As the tiny stream trickled from the Temple and became a mighty river, Israel’s dry lands would flourish with fruit trees. In a land which constantly suffered from drought and water shortage, this was a great vision of hope. Early Christianity understood in Christ this vision was fulfilled. He is the true living Temple of God. He is the spring of living water. From him, the great river pours forth, which in Baptism renews the world and makes it fruitful. The Church has long seen in Ezekiel’s vision a symbol of baptism. Just as the river’s water brought physical revival and renewal, so do the waters of baptism bring us spiritual rebirth and restoration.
In the Gospel, Jesus heals a paralyzed man. Physical paralysis is an image of the result of sin. When we sin we “paralyze” ourselves. Sin has grave consequences on our lives and the clearest consequence is that we are left unable to rise and then walk in the ways of God.Grave sin, especially, renders us powerless to love and live in true freedom. It leaves us trapped and unable to care for our own spiritual lives or for others in any way. It’s important to see the consequences of sin. Even minor sins hinder our abilities, strip us of energy, and leave us spiritually crippled to one extent or another.
We must see yourself in this story. Jesus did not heal this man only for his good alone. He healed him, in part, to tell us that He sees us in our broken state as we experience the consequences of our sin. He sees us in need, looks at us and calls you to rise and walk. Look at your sin, allow Jesus to see it, and listen to Him speak words of healing and freedom. Jesus thus offers us healing through the sacrament of Confession, especially this Lent. Go to Confession and discover Jesus’ healing. Confession is the answer to the freedom that awaits us, the renewal we need to become more fruitful and life filled persons.
Prayer: Lord, please forgive me for my sins. I desire to see them and to acknowledge the consequences they impose upon me. I know that You desire to free me from these burdens and to heal them at the source. Lord, give me courage to confess my sins to You, especially in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.
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