As our focus shifts to the second part of Lent this week, we recall the baptismal readings that renew our covenant at the Easter Vigil or Easter Sunday liturgies. Our reading from Ezekiel recalls the temple where living water flows and heals those in search of such need. Our psalm echoes that God’s dwelling is ever-present to help us in our distress and assist us as we change essential parts of our lives to be our best selves as Christians, Eucharistic apostles, and disciples today.

More than this, our gospel intensifies our Lenten awakening from God, “Do you want to be well?” Jesus’ plea to the Bethesda pool sick man awakens the continuous call for us as our God calls us to wholeness. Each Lent, we enter into particular practices to renew, recommit, and redact elements of our lives that are not our best selves. We hope for grace-filled elements from God to make us walk in Christ’s path anew. Like a good shower or bath, it cleanses us and reawakens us; today’s reading reminder invites us to continue this Lenten cleaning process, a Spring cleaning (in the northern hemisphere) to renew the house of God within us.

God’s presence of life-giving water makes the desert lands and us fertile again. God is always at work to offer healing and renewal, no matter how chaotic our lives are. May this be in our inspiration as we trust in God’s care and cleaning. Sadly, we are not like a self-cleaning oven; it is easy to turn on the switch and be instantly cleaned. True renewal takes practice and hard work.

As we continue this Lent, what needs God’s healing waters to flow over an element of our life to end its dominance? What must I change to allow new springs of life to flow through me this Easter time and beyond?

Prayer:

O God of covenants and connections, you prepare us for our renewal this Easter. May we enter into this holy season with an openness to your grace and gentle call to service? May your love, hope, and dream for a better way call us to our true selves in you, through Christ our Lord.

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