Water is an image running throughout today's Scripture passages. Water is essential for life. Water is both mysterious and obvious. From monsoons, to floods, to drought, to gentle rains, water is as life-giving as it is dangerous. From bath water to bottled water, we take water for granted. Yet it remains a life-essential ingredient in symbol and in fact.

Ezekiel viewed the water "issuing from below the threshold of the temple" as the very presence and power of God. The stream that became a river was giving life to trees and vegetation, giving life to fish and all swimming things, giving life even to the salty seas. As it is written: "So everything will live where the river goes."

For the prophet, God's "flowing" presence creates a new Eden, a new beginning for God's people.

Just so, John tells us, the water in the pool of Bethesda was believed to have healing and life-restoring powers. Yet, faith in Jesus proved to have the greater life-giving power. The water in the pool has not stirred up yet, but Jesus made the man whole. Jesus can do that for all who believe in Him. Jesus can make all of us whole as we make this Lenten journey, but only if our faith in Him grows strong.

The water of Baptism makes each of us a newcreation. The gentle flow of forgiveness makes us one with our God and others.