Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 44 Satisfaction by the Excommunicated
Mass: Ezk 47:1-9, 12; Resp Ps 46; Jn 5:1-16

Come! Behold the deeds of the Lord, the astounding things He has wrought on earth.

ALL WHO ARE THIRSTY, COME TO THE WATERS, SAYS THE LORD. THOUGH YOU HAVE NO MONEY, COME AND DRINK WITH JOY.

(Entrance Antiphon, Mass)

Today's Word proclaimed speaks to us of water. Oh so fitting it was then when we sang at Vigils: Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deep waters (Ps 148:7). It's raining in this part of the world. Or it was this morning. And maybe you are as privileged as I. Clear and clean water is only a turn of the faucet away. And if that's not enough, our property is bordered on one side by the salmon bearing Mattole River (see photo); walk to the other side for Thompson Creek; the Pacific Ocean is a only a hop, skip, and a jump away. The gift of water abounds. May all of us so privileged with an abundance of water give thanks and praise to God.

Another reason to give thanks and praise to God is for the question He poses today: Do you want to be well? (Jn 5:6). Let us not be timid like the man who had been ill and lying by a pool of water for thirty-eight years (Jn 5:5). Let us rather respond with a rousing "Yes!" and ask the Lord to heal us from our fears, anxieties and whatever ails us. Heart of Jesus, fountain of life and holiness, have mercy on us.

Jesus Christ loves you; He gave His life to save you; and now He is living at your side every day to enlighten, strengthen and free you.

(Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium The Joy of the Gospel, 164)

We join the Holy Father in prayer:

I received the news that in these days, a number of doctors and priests have died, I don't know if there were a few nurses. They were infected … because they were serving the sick. Let's pray for them, for their families. I thank God for the example of heroism they give us in caring for the sick. 

© Gertrude Feick 2020