Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Today's Mass Readings

Today's first reading from the Book of Ezekiel is rich with meaning. The Church Fathers related this reading to the New Testament sacrament of baptism. Currently, we are in the Season of Lent, which can be, and has often been, likened to a period of wandering in the desert, just as the ancient Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years, and as Jesus was tempted in the desert for 40 days, so we too are tried in the desert of Lent. The image we find in Ezekiel should help inspire within us a desire, alonging, for Easter which is approaching. Just as the living stream in Ezekiel's vision watered the arid ground, making it fertile, so too the living resurrection waters of the Easter Season will produce life in us, who have passed through Lent. The living waters of Christ, which we encounter at our baptism and in Easter, give us life, the very life of Jesus.

As we approach Easter, let us really make the remainder of our Lenten pilgrimage a fruitful one. This is a good time to reflect on how well we have been doing spiritually during Lent. Have we been living up to our expectations? If not, let's rededicate ourselves and strive forward. Let us pray that our experience of Lent helps us to appreciate the living waters we receive at Easter.

- Jeff Morrow