Good morning, good people. May the Lord give you peace and health in the Holy Spirit.

It is 12th March 2024. The readings are from Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12 and the Gospel from John 5:1-3, 5-16.

There is no shortage of blessings with the Lord.

Are we rejoicing or resenting the healing in others?

Lent is a time of realization that we need to get up and walk towards Jesus.  No miracle ground, group, or gesture can heal us except the person of Jesus. The living water and life-giving water is Jesus himself.  We are all initiated and immersed into the living and life-giving waters of baptism.  New life and healing are possible only with the Lord.  

Water symbolizes God’s saving grace.  The abundance of water flowing from the temple in the first reading symbolizes the flowing graces from the heart of the Saviour.  There is no shortage of blessings with the Lord.  Without faith and prayer, we cannot experience healing and blessing in the water.  Life comes from God and is nurtured by the living water, Jesus Christ.

The responsorial Psalm praises, “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.” (Ps.46:8). 

How can we enjoy the effects of healing?

To continue enjoying the effects of healing, we need to be far from our sinful attachments, attitudes, and behaviors. 

“See, you have been made well! Do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you.” (Jn.5:14). 

Jesus cured a man who was suffering for 38 years. This is the third sign that brought life, healing, and wholeness. No matter how long we have been suffering even when no one helped us to experience healing, Jesus is ready and willing to heal us completely. 

Miracles are possible for the one who believes and trusts God.

Miracles are possible for the one who believes and trusts in the plan and will of God. We all need to pick up the mat and walk out from the casual and comfortable sinful environment. 

There are so many things we are attached to because of a lack of faith in Jesus. To revive the spirit in us, we need to get up and take stock of our lives and recognize the presence of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

May you have a lovely day.  

God bless you.

Fr. Peter Fernando, OFMCap.
Director, Office of Family Ministry, Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia (AVOSA).Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.♣Website:https://reflectionsofpeter.org/.♣Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/samarpet