The Fourth Tuesday of Lent

(Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12, John 5: 1-16)

“I saw water flowing out from beneath the threshold of the temple toward the east” (Ezek. 47:1). Reading about the water flowing from the side of the temple brought to mind the water and blood flowing from the side of the crucified Lord. These waters flow out from Jerusalem and out into the world. Christ is the Temple from whom flow the living waters. Christ is the door, from the floodgate of his pierced side flowed the waters that refresh the world. Christ is the wellspring of living water that satisfies the thirst of the human soul. Like the prophet Ezekiel, we discover the works of God in stages. At first, the wonders of God are simple and delightful, so we wade into them, ankle-deep. The more we walk in the flowing waters, the challenges get more difficult, knee-deep, and waist-deep. The journey keeps taking us deeper and deeper until we find ourselves in waters that are over our heads.

Reading how the prophet waded deeper and deeper into the river flowing from the temple, I was reminded of a passage in St. Luke’s gospel. “Launch out into Deep Water and lower Your Nets for a catch” (Lk. 5:4). Granted, it is comfortable to wade in the shallows, but you can’t catch an abundance of fish there. Our Christian calling challenges us to set out into the deep water of God’s mystery. Saint Paul knew the wonder and awe of taking the plunge. “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how unfathomable his ways” (Rom. 11:33). Confronted with the mystery of God’s love, Paul came to know his weaknesses and accept his limitations. In the light of that knowledge, he sat at the brink and wondered at the depths. Paul knew that the ever-expanding flood was not for him alone. “I pray that you may be firmly rooted and securely grounded in love. May you have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ” (Eph. 3:17-18).

Eventually, Ezekiel came to the spot where the water was over his head. This is exactly where the Lord wants each of us to be, launching out into the depths. Jesus wants us to be immersed in the Spirit and his Word. The Lord wants us to walk in the waters until we need to cry out to him to stretch out his hand and pull us up. Many people stumble and get stuck because they keep trying to figure their Christian calling out, rather than letting God work it out for them. All the while, God keeps nudging us along until we can no longer feel solid ground under our feet. In the end, God wants us to depend on him and his abundant merciful kindness. While we may feel more secure in the shallows, the Lord is calling us to launch out for the deep waters. Only those who are willing to take the plunge can experience the saving power of grace. We need openness and docility if we want to plunge into the depths of God’s infinite mercy. When God finds a resting place in our hearts, by his word and Spirit dwelling richly in us, he can, and will, sustain us as we plunge into the depths. With his mighty right hand and outstretched arm, he will bring us safely to our heavenly home.