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Healing Water

April 1, 2025

Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12 | John 5:1-18 | Psalm 46:1-8

The scripture readings for today are all about water. As an open-water swimmer, I am always moved by water imagery. The life-giving aspect of water, the power of water, the beauty of water. But it’s the passage above that really called to me this time. One reason – I got to visit Beth-zatha on a trip to the Holy Land with my mother back in 2010. What a gift that trip was!  We read this story while we were there and I thought, wow, he was so close to the healing water and yet it remained out of reach…Until Jesus. 

Could it be we are all that close to the healing water and have only to call to Jesus to reach it? I think so! I don’t mean that we will be healed of a cancer or broken limb or other type of ailment of the body. Rather, I refer to the peace of mind that comes with accepting the love of Jesus, welcoming Jesus into our hearts. 

When my sister was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer several years ago, she felt Jesus with her. Her illness wasn’t easy, but her acceptance of Jesus’s love made all the difference and taught those of us around her a great gift.

Elizabeth F. McNamara

Photo credit Wikipedia: The Pool of Bethesda painting by Robert Bateman, 1877