Deep Waters

I love reading the prophetic books of the Old Testament as well as the sole prophetic book of the New: Revelation. Most of God’s dealings through the Prophets was with the nation and people of Israel. However, many times there is not only a temporal meaning to the verses but also a spiritual one. That is most definitely the case with Isaiah and Ezekiel.

One particular chapter of Ezekiel came to mind in my reply to Teresa Hurst on her recent article, “One Thing Necessary” (which I highly recommend that you read). Teresa’s article is about the Lord and our Blessed Mother working in her life to draw her to a deeper, more intimate relationship. I think sometimes we get a little too bogged down on this site in the theological aspect and forget the personal meaning of our lives as Catholics. I know that what we write is intended for the good of the Church, to strengthen and equip others to be able to stand for the Faith… and that is still important. But as I said in another article what we have as Catholics isn’t just a religion but most importantly it’s a relationship.

In Ezekiel 47:1-5 God is showing the Prophet as vision of a river of waters that flows out of the Throne out to the “many waters” that usually signifies the non-Jewish people. For the Catholic these verses have many implications, for the Lord told us that out of us would “flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38). But the aspect that spoke to me through Teresa’s testimony was the step by step stages that our relationship with God should go through if we are maturing in our faith.

Ankle Deep

The first place that the Lord brought Ezekiel the waters were merely ankle deep. Many of us, if we even stay in the River, never move beyond this point. We’ve gone through all the Rites of Initiation as Catholics…Baptism, Confession, Communion and Confirmation… and that is as far as we go. Perhaps we add a few things once or twice a year during Advent or Lent. Confession becomes a rare event and Communion perhaps twice a year when we come on Christmas and/or Easter.

One of the problems with ankle deep water is that it’s not a very effective way to get clean. Saint Paul talks about fighting against the “sins that so easily beset us”. Ankle deep Catholicism is a good way to end up in Purgatory…or worse.

Knee Deep

Next the Prophet was led further out into the river. Now the waters were knee deep. At the knee deep point we can start to truly experience some aspects of the river…the temperature of the water, a little bit of the pull of the current and perhaps even see some of the life that lives in the water. When we are knee deep as Catholics we are a bit more committed to Church. Perhaps we attend Mass each week and go to Confession once or twice a year… which is all that is “required” these days. Many who choose to remain in the river move to at least this depth. But it has many of the same shortcomings as the ankle deep condition. While we are closer to the water, since now we don’t have to bend over so far to reach it, we are still limited as to how much we can keep clean. Again, this level has a real possibility of ending up in Purgatory.

Waist Deep

Next the Angel leads Ezekiel out a bit further into the river until the waters are now up to his waist. If we are at this point we can now feel the power of the river more. The strength of the current and the pull toward deeper things. We can see more of the life that is in the waters too. Watching the fish swim we have a desire to be more like them and move freely in the waters. Those fish are like the lives of the Saints that we read about or perhaps have actually seen and heard since so many newer Saints are people that have lived within our lifetime. One difference is that our feet are still on the riverbed. We can stand on our own and move about where we wish to go. But they call us to deeper things.

Deep enough to swim

Finally, Ezekiel is moved out far enough in the river that the waters are over his head. He can no longer touch bottom and stand on his feet. He feels the current and the true strength of the river. Now he is among the life in the river. He doesn’t have to worry about “keeping clean” because the waters flow over him constantly and no dirt can cling. But where he goes now is no longer his decision. He can choose to swim against the current and wear himself out… or he can let the river take him where it will. There may be rough waters…perhaps even rapids and falls. But he has committed himself to the river will go wherever it does. This way, my brothers and sisters, lies sainthood.

The High Calling of God

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)

The “high calling of God” is the Deep Waters. Like Paul I don’t count myself to have achieved the goal… which is why I’ve written most of this in the first person plural. As Red Green would say, “We’re all in this together! I’m pulling for you!” I love the song, “The River” by Garth Brooks for its symbolism. One line in particular I’ll close with:

“Too many times we stand aside and let the waters slip away until what we put off to tomorrow has now become today. So don’t you sit upon the shoreline and say you’re satisfied. Choose to chance the rapids…dare to dance the tides.”