December 14th - Reflection

Ezekiel 47:1-12 (NRSV)
The wilderness will flower

Then he brought me back to the entrance of the temple; there, water was flowing from below the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east); and the water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar. Then he brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gate that faces toward the east; and the water was coming out on the south side.

Going on eastward with a cord in his hand, the man measured one thousand cubits, and then led me through the water; and it was ankle deep. Again he measured one thousand, and led me through the water; and it was knee deep. Again he measured one thousand, and led me through the water; and it was up to the waist. Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross, for the water had risen; it was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be crossed. He said to me, "Mortal, have you seen this?"


Then he led me back along the bank of the river. As I came back, I saw on the bank of the river a great many trees on the one side and on the other. He said to me, "This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah; and when it enters the sea, the sea of stagnant waters, the water will become fresh. Wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish, once these waters reach there. It will become fresh; and everything will live where the river goes. People will stand fishing beside the sea from En gedi to En eglaim; it will be a place for the spreading of nets; its fish will be of a great many kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea. But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they are to be left for salt. On the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing."

Reflection
We are so richly blessed! As the waters begin small, flowing east from the Temple of God; we are blessed with the waters increase. God, the source of this living waters, permits his healing water to flow from the Temple, east into the sunrise. Flowing from a trickle to a deep river. God's water flowing through the desert of our lives and the desert of this earth giving up fruits along the way. Even as the water flows into the Dead Sea, the life springs forth.

As Jesus enters our lives in the mere trickle of baptism, we begin to become fruitful. Fruit, not of our own doing, but fruit fed and nourished with the life giving waters of God, Father, Son, Spirit. Fruit that through Jesus' life, death and resurrection, springs to life even in the Dead Sea of our existence.

Here is the Word both literal and true to our lives today.  Here is the Word come to life in me and in you. Here is the Word alive yesterday, today and tomorrow. Here is the Word alive forever in the ever flowing, ever life giving waters of God. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, let your life-giving water wash over me. Let your water produce fruit in me. Let Jesus come. Come Lord Jesus come. --- Amen