Who Is This Nun?
Go Ye Therefore
Photo By: FLickr/wiley photo
“The angel brought me back to the entrance of the temple, and I saw water flowing out from beneath the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the façade of the temple was toward the east; the water flowed down from the southern side of the temple, south of the altar. He led me outside by the north gate, and around to the outer gate facing the east, where I saw water trickling from the southern side. He said to me, ‘This water flows into the eastern district down upon the Arabah, and empties into the sea, the salt waters, which it makes fresh. Wherever the river flows, every sort of living creature that can multiply shall live, and there shall be abundant fish, for wherever this water comes the sea shall be made fresh. Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of every kind shall grow; their leaves shall not fade, nor their fruit fail. Every month they shall bear fresh fruit, for they shall be watered by the flow from the sanctuary. Their fruit shall serve for food, and their leaves for medicine.’” Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12
Reflect on the beauty of the images seen in this reading from the prophet Ezekiel:
A temple, with water flowing from the altar, through the temple, and out the gates. In each direction, it flows, until it reaches the sea, making salty water fresh. It gives life to all creatures and provides a home for fish to thrive. Trees, full of leaves and fruit, flourish at its banks. The fruit serves as food, and the leaves are medicinal.
As I meditated on this reading at Mass, I could envision the crystalline water, flowing out from the altar, and through each entrance of our church building. It was an amazing image.
We are that water. We have come forth from the altar of God, having received the Word of God spoken, as well as the Body and Blood of the Lord. As we depart from that place, we take the Word of God with us, to every place our lives carry us. Our daily activities should be filled with life-giving words and deeds, as we carry Christ to those we meet.
May our lives bring life to all, as a healing for the nations.
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About the Author
Joni grew up on a farm in Kansas. She is a wife and mother who has been involved in various ministries from small towns to inner cities. After a number of years in Protestant ministry, she, her husband, and their children were received into the Catholic Church in 2007. She now resides in northeast Ohio, where she is private piano instructor. She is involved in her home parish working with music ministry. She has been blogging since 2006.
