Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Lent

(Ezekiel 47:1-9.12; John 5:1-16)

Water has been long associated with healing.  Hindu pilgrims come in myriads to the Ganges River in hope of cures.  Western believers imbibe the spring waters at Lourdes praying for a miracle.  Natural baths the world over have devotees seeking their medicinal effects.

The reading from Ezekiel today manifests the healing power of the Jerusalem temple by describing it as the source of water.  The liquid begins as trickle emerging from its threshold and quickly grows in volume.  As it leaves the structure’s confines, it becomes a torrent that irrigates fruit trees providing both food and medicine.  In the gospel Jesus shows his ability to cure as ever more efficacious.  He instantaneously heals the sick man who lacks the wherewithal to plunge himself into the temple waters. 

We may see Jesus as a kind of river of plenty.  Like the Ganges, he heals us of infirmities.  Like the Nile in Egypt, he provides us the means for sustenance.  Like the Mississippi in the United States, he transports us home.

Homilette for January 24, 2008

Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

(Mark 3:7-12)

The Ganges River holds a revered place in Hinduism. Men and woman in tremendous numbers converge on it for healing. People believe that by drinking its waters they might have eternal life.

In today’s gospel Jesus becomes a kind of Ganges River. He attracts huge numbers of people from the four corners of Palestine who seek healing of body and/or spirit. Jesus tells the demons whom he casts out not to mention that he is the Son of God. Evidently, he is not only concerned that the people would get the wrong idea of what that means, but any greater numbers would only create insuperable problems of logistics.

Today Jesus is more accessible to us in the Eucharist. But we Mass-goers might ask ourselves, why do we seek him? Is it for some acute need like healing? Or do we wish to learn from him the ways of everlasting life? Of course, the latter too is a critical need, but it recognizes that some effort on our part will be called forth. When we come to Jesus, we must be ready to change our ways. If not, no matter how much healing there is in his touch, in the long run it will not avail us the eternal life we seek.

Homilette for Thursday, January 18, 2007

(Mark 3)

The Ganges River holds a revered place in Hinduism. Men and woman in tremendous numbers converge on it for healing. People believe that by drinking its waters they might have eternal life.

In today’s gospel Jesus becomes a kind of Ganges River. He attracts huge numbers of people from the four corners of Palestine for healing. Jesus tells the demons whom he casts out not to mention that he is the Son of God. Evidently, he is not only concerned that the people would get the wrong idea of what this means. Any greater numbers would only create insoluble problems of logistics.

Today Jesus is more accessible in the Eucharist. But we Mass-goers might ask ourselves, why do we seek him? Is it for some advantage like healing? Or do we wish to learn from him the ways of everlasting life? Of course, this too is a terrific advantage, but it recognizes that some effort on our part will be called forth. When we come to Jesus, we must be ready to change our ways. If not, no matter how many advantages there are in his touch, in the long run it will not help us.