4TH WEEK OF LENT

Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of every kind shall grow. 

Fruit growers know from experience that the yields of their crops may fluctuate from one year to another. Each year they may have to deal with drought, pests, or soil conditions that will affect how much fruit each tree will bear. It’s a constant battle for growers, and no doubt the waiting and wondering about each upcoming harvest is difficult.

It’s not terribly different in our spiritual lives. In some seasons of life, you practically overflow with the energy to serve the Lord joyfully, to see and value his gifts, and to share his bounty with the people around you. In other seasons, you feel depleted, weary, and barren. Fortunately, the prophet Ezekiel’s vision from today’s first reading can give us hope for every season of life.

Take a moment to imagine yourself wading next to Ezekiel across a crystal-clear stream that’s flowing down from heaven. You’re surrounded by trees of every kind—apple, mango, pomegranate, peach—each bursting with luscious fruit. This is unlike any orchard you’ve ever seen!

But what really stuns you is what God tells you and Ezekiel. These incredible orchards are watered by God’s never-ending, life-giving flow, and that water never stops flowing. So the trees on the banks are never barren. They bear a constant supply of nourishing fruit.

Like any fruit grower, we will most certainly encounter times of drought and depletion. But Ezekiel’s vision is not just imaginary or reserved for a future age. Speaking about the gift of the Spirit—which we have already received—Jesus says, “Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink” (John 7:37; see 7:39). So as often as you experience dry or barren times—even if that’s daily or hourly—Jesus wants you to ask him for the life of his Spirit.

Today, as you sit in prayer, believe that you are entering into God’s life-giving stream, even if you don’t feel all that different. Let the truths of his unconditional love and mercy help refresh and restore you so that you too can bear fruit—even today—for his kingdom.

“Come, Holy Spirit. Soak me with your life so that I may bear fruit.”

Psalm 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9
John 5:1-16
Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12