DAY 28: Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent - SPIRITUAL JOURNEY FROM LENT TOWARDS EASTER

Jesus in a reading from the holy Gospel according to John (Jn 5:1-16), heals the crippled man in the pool called Bethesda. Like what was seen by Ezekiel in his vision mentioned in the first reading from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel (Ez 47:1-9,12), water gushing forth from the temple of the Lord brought healing or saving grace. This miraculous healing angered the Pharisees because He cured the once-crippled man on the Sabbath. The fact that Jesus become more popular because of all the truth He had spoken and the miracles that He had done, makes the ruling class of Jerusalem felt deep antagonism towards Jesus. They started to persecute Jesus and planned to have Him killed. People nowadays develop the same Pharisaic attitude towards those who are doing good or working hard to be holy. Many harbor ill-thoughts or feelings towards such individuals because the act of kindness or goodness become a spear that pierces their hearts. They subconsciously wish others to wallow in the misery that they are in because of their sins. Here again, Fr. Budge Orara renders his insights and reflections on the above readings as he patiently guide us in this spiritual journey from Lent towards Easter.