Jesus the New Bethzatha

Homily of Tuesday, Fourth week of Lent. Tuesday, 31st March, 2024
By Fr Emmanuel Aghidi CSSp.
Texts: Ezekiel 47:1— 9.12, John 5:1-16

87

Dear friends in Jesus Christ, we often hear the saying “water is life. In the first reading of today helps us understand the healing power that flows from the sanctuary of God. The sanctuary in the first reading was God’s abode. The waters that flowed from that sanctuary were capable of healing and bringing life to things. Anywhere the waters flow, life is restored to whatever lives there.

However, the water we saw that was capable of giving life was not just about itself, it was a prefiguration of the fountain of the living water that will be opened up for everyone in the New testament. It is Jesus our Lord. With this fountain of living water, we do not need to enter into any pool of Bethzatha. In Jesus, the pool of Bethzatha is opened up for us. Anyone who comes to him experiences healing and has his life restored.

The man who was waiting for someone to help him into the pool was actually waiting for Jesus who is the healing spring but never knew. Thirty eight years was quite a long period of suffering and pains. But with Jesus, it does not matter how long one has suffered. With Jesus, there is restoration. The restoration comes in such a way that the bitter experiences of the past days are forgotten.

We are privileged people, we who are called by the name of the Lord Jesus. Let us make use of this great opportunity to be healed and restored. Let us approach Jesus so he can heal, restore us and quench our thirst.

May the Lord bless His words in our hearts. Amen

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