The Water of Life; Cleanses, Refreshes, Gives Eternal Life

The Water of Life; Cleanses, Refreshes, Gives Eternal Life

3rd Sunday of Lent

All you who are thirsty, come to the water!  You who have no money, come receive grain and eat; Come without paying and without cost, drink wine and milk.  The cleansing of our souls is a way to remove sin.  

During the Easter Vigil Mass there are three items that make up the whole ceremony of Baptism; Light, Fire, and Water.  The Paschal Candle stands as the presence of Christ.  It stands by the pulpit announcing in silence that he has overcome sin.  We use fire to enact the power of the Holy Spirit who brings all of us to the altar of forgiveness.   

But water is found in several readings, enriching the sign of cleansing and the manner of finding new life in Christ through the river of life that flows through each of us. Revelation speaks of a river that flows through the new city of Jerusalem.  Then the angel showed me the river of life-giving water, sparkling like crystal.  (Rev 22: 1).

It is this element that has become the main thrust of Baptism.  As the celebrant for baptism pours water upon the head of a new Christian, he is welcoming another citizen of Christ’s family into the Church, where the Spirit of God is waiting to welcome another soul to praise the Lord Jesus Christ.

Isaiah who is the prominent author of so much prophecy follows the sacrifice in the fourth Suffering Song of the Christ who willingly gave his life for his children whom he loved as a Paschal Lamb.  The water that we submerge ourselves in at baptism is the result of the Blood that also flowed from the Body of Christ that cleanses our souls and washes away any sign of eternal death.  

A quote from Isaiah:  Seek the Lord while he may be found, call him while he is near.  Let the scoundrel forsake his way, and the wicked man his thoughts.  Let him turn to the Lord for mercy; to our God who is generous in forgiving.  (Is 55: 6).

A blueprint for a short homily that should enrich the minds of those who bless themselves each time their fingers dip into the holy water font.  Herein is the water of life-giving grace.   

Ralph B.Hathaway