Fourth Tuesday of Lent

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.

The river in this passage signifies God’s blessing upon His followers. He wants us to live abundantly, to be refreshed in faith, and to grow in love. He wants us to bear good fruits in thought, word, and work. He wants our hearts to remain ever green with life-giving grace. He wants to wash us with the waters of His Love and Mercy. He gives all these things to us because He wants us to be fruit for the world, sustaining those in physically, emotional, and spiritual need. He wants us to be medicine for the sick in mind, body, and spirit. He pours Himself out to us not to grow in isolation from each other, but to imitate Him and pour ourselves out for Him and His children. He is our sanctuary because He wants to show us how to be shelters for others.

Are our lives planted near the living water that flows from the sanctuary of the Holy Spirit? Are we drawing our sustenance from the eternal spring of God’s Love, Mercy, and Grace? How can we become fonts of goodness in the midst of the deserts of the world?

O Lord, water us with your love so that we might bear good fruits.

Amen.