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| "The Piscina Probatica or Pool of Bethesda," by J. Tisso. Brooklyn Museum / Public Domain. |
John 5:1-3,5-16 at Mass on Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Today in the Gospel, bodily healing came through Christ's words.
So, since those healing words are in the Gospel now, it is the Gospel that heals.
Rise, take up your mat and walk.
Look, you are well;
do not sin any more,
so that nothing worse may happen to you.
With WORDS Christ healed that man, but elsewhere we see healing and life come out of Christ's BODY.
There is the woman who suffered a hemorrhage for twelve years and who received healing through power that went out to her from Christ's body.
Then, on the day he rose from the dead, he went to his apostles and FROM HIS BODY he breathed out to them the Holy Spirit, saying:
Receive the Holy Spirit.
If you forgive the sins of any,
they are forgiven;
if you retain the sins of any,
they are retained.
Out of the Body and Blood of the risen Christ, the Father in heaven pours out the Holy Spirit to anoint the Church, forgive sins, bring health, salvation and eternal life to his Son's disciples, and raise them as his children.
All of that flows for us in Baptism and in the celebration of every Mass, as even here and now.
Only let us live always as having true, heartfelt awe and thirst to enjoy forever these saving gifts of God.
