The source of a river is often a small trickle of water. Typically, rivers get deeper through ground water and tributaries which increase the river's depth. That is not the case in Ezekiel's river. Miraculously, its only source is the trickle from the Temple (Ez 47:1). Another miracle is that this river's flow makes the salt water fresh (see Ez 47:8-9). Ezekiel is referring to the Dead Sea, the saltiest lake on earth, saltier than even the ocean. There is no life in the Dead Sea. Yet the trickle from this holy water even brings life to the Dead Sea! (see Ez 47:10)
Ezekiel's holy river is a prophecy of the Holy Catholic Church. Jesus is Head of the Church (Col 1:18). The Church is watered by the flow of water from the side of the pierced Christ (Jn 19:34). Jesus brings life where there is no life. We look at the limitations and weaknesses of the members of the Church when we instead need to be looking at Jesus. We see a limited Church, with only a trickle of visible grace. But the life of God starts small, with only a mustard seed, only a crumb of yeast (Mt 13:31-33).
We can never limit God's grace. We see sin abound and only a trickle of grace, rather than seeing grace abounding more than sin (see Rm 5:20). Jesus commands us: "Open your eyes and see! The fields are shining for harvest!" (Jn 4:35)
Believe that the Lord is working powerfully through His Church. Drink from the trickle of water. It will become a river of life, leaping up within you (Jn 4:14; 7:37-38).
| PRAYER: | Father, may I love the Church as Jesus does. |
| PROMISE: | "The man was immediately cured." –Jn 5:9 |
| PRAISE: | Rick teaches his students reverence for God's Word merely by the way he physically handles the Bible. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College