Ezekiel 47 and John 5
Today’s readings present two kinds of water: a visionary river in Ezekiel that brings life to the desert, and a silent pool in John where a man sits in an abandoned situation. They give a powerful message at a time when our world is experiencing war in the Middle East.
1. In Ez 47, the first reading, the prophet Ezekiel sees a vision: a small stream flowing from the Temple of God in Jerusalem. It grows into a great river. Wherever the river goes, it brings life — trees grow, fish live, and even the salty waters become fresh and healthy.
This is a prophetic vision. In reality, such a river does not flow from the Temple today. Yet the vision reveals God’s dream for the Earth: When we look at the present situation in the Holy Land and the surrounding regions, we see something very different. Instead of rivers that bring life, we see rivers of suffering, destruction, and bloodshed caused by war.
Ezekiel’s vision reminds us that war is like poisoned water, it does not just kill it contaminates the future. “In war there are no real winners; both the one who strikes and the one who suffers.” God’s dream is the opposite: His river gives healing, reconciliation, and peace. Therefore, the Church and every believer are called to become living streams of peace, an irrigation system for God’s grace, carrying hope into territories where violence.
2. The man at the pool of Bethesda is making a complaint to Jesus, “Lord, I have no one to put me into the pool.” This sentence reveals one of the strongest emotions of human life; the experience of abandonment — “I have no one.”
Today, many people in areas affected by war feel exactly the same way. Many families, women, and children who suffer because of conflict feel unheard and forgotten. The tragedy of indifference: “We have no one to help us.” The nations around them see the suffering but do not help. The UN has not even condemned the Interference of America, because America is also one of the members with Veto power, and there are many Jews in the UN Council. It was different during the Russia-Ukraine war; the UN condemned and imposed many economic sanctions against Russia. Human systems, politics, and international structures often cannot give an immediate solution. But notice Jesus’ response: He doesn't wait for the water or the system to work. He speaks directly to man through miraculous words, “Rise, take up your mat and walk”. Immediate healing.
3. The world requires authentic leaders like Ezekiel and Jesus who give healing to the people of suffering. Today, we often hear leaders speaking the language of retaliation and revenge, especially in times of conflict and violence. What a responsibility. After the recent scandal of the Epstein Files, we do not know whom to trust. influential figures—scientists, spiritual leaders, or powerful politicians—What is happening? The future generation is reading about them in their textbooks. Our prayer today is that God may raise genuine and authentic leaders — leaders who seek healing instead of revenge, reconciliation instead of retaliation, and peace instead of war. And may each one of us become a small stream of God’s peace in a world that longs for healing.
