< <  

Tuesday, March 23, 2004

  > >

St. Turibius de Mongrovejo


Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12
Psalm 46
John 5:1-3, 5-16

View Readings
Similar Reflections

water-falls?

"Then He brought me back to the entrance of the temple, and I saw water flowing out from beneath the threshold of the temple toward the east." —Ezekiel 47:1

Ezekiel saw a vision of a miraculous trickle of water flowing from the Temple and becoming a great river of life. John, the apostle and the evangelist, saw the same river as a picture of heaven (Rv 22:1ff).

By baptizing us and giving us a new nature, Jesus has made our bodies temples of the Holy Spirit (see 1 Cor 6:19). He promises that rivers of living water will flow from within Him and us (Jn 7:38). As temples of the Holy Spirit, we have within us the living waters of the Holy Spirit, "a fountain within [us], leaping up to provide eternal life" (Jn 4:14).

As temples of the Holy Spirit, our bodies are like movable baptismal fonts. Most people of the world at this point have not received the major event and transformation in life, which is Baptism. Even many of the two billion people who are baptized are not living their Baptisms. Under these circumstances, much of our world is comprised of cultures of death. Too many are the dry, dead bones which Ezekiel envisioned (Ez 37:1ff). In this desolation, we need the living waters of Baptism. We need temples of the Holy Spirit who help the Spirit send forth the waters of life. We need moving baptismal fonts bringing life to the most desolate places. Renew and live your Baptism fully.

Prayer:  Father, make me like both a moving baptismal font and a moving tabernacle as I live fully the sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist.

Promise:  "Remember, now, you have been cured. Give up your sins so that something worse may not overtake you." —Jn 5:14

Praise:  St. Turibius' unflagging zeal to the poor of Peru led to countless numbers of Indians being baptized, receiving ministry, and growing in their Catholic faith.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Richard Walling, July 18, 2003


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 24, 2003