To the Ends of the Earth: Witness – Week 2, Day 4 – Witnessing to Our Children Demands a Fully Integrated Life
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Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and behold, water was issuing from below the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east); and the water was flowing down from below the right side of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar. Then he brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me round on the outside to the outer gate, that faces toward the east; and the water was coming out on the right side.
Ezekiel 47:1–2
In the Scriptures we read about people digging cisterns to catch and hold water. The water that sat in cisterns was not as cool and refreshing as “living water” — water that flowed in rivers and streams. The grace of Christ is something that flows freely into our lives, refreshing our souls with its ever-renewing power to transform our hearts. When we reject the unsatisfying sources of security, pleasure, and peace the world offers, we can become open to the overflowing abundance that only Christ can give.
In the vision of Ezekiel 47, the prophet saw a trickle of water from the temple that grew and grew until it became an impassable rushing river. This foretold the overflowing grace that would be poured out upon humanity when Jesus came into the world. For Catholics, this steady stream of grace begins with the waters of baptism. As we live our faith, it becomes a river of blessing that flows into the lives of all we meet. From the blood and water that flowed freely from the side of Christ, we receive the grace that continually refreshes as it remakes us in the image of our Savior. This gift of grace is ours to share freely.
Questions for reflection
What areas of your spiritual life right now are more like stagnant water than a flowing stream? How can the living water of Christ, available through your baptism, which flows into your life every day, transform these areas?
How have you seen the flow of God’s living water grow in your life, from a tiny stream to a great river of grace?
How can you allow the living water you have received to flow into someone’s life today?
Praying with Scripture
And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water without price from the fountain of the water of life.” (Rev 21:6)
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Mark C. McCann is an author and Ministry Consultant with more than 30 years of writing and ministry experience. He has published articles for a number of Catholic magazines and websites including St. Anthony Messenger, Emmanuel Magazine, Liguorian Magazine, Catholic Stand, the Connecticut Catholic Men's Conference, and Homiletic and Pastoral Review. He recently published the 4-volume Catholic men's devotional, To the Ends of the Earth, as well as the 2021 Advent Daybreaks devotional and 2022 Lenten Daybreaks devotional with Liguori Publishing. He has also released his End Times novel series, Jacob's Dream: The Vision and Jacob's Dream: The Final Battle. He was a radio host and producer for 8 years at a Connecticut Christian radio station and has worked as a Catholic religion teacher/campus minister and a parish youth minister. He has also served the Norwich, CT Diocese as a Youth Ministry Director and Family Life Director. He currently lives in Connecticut with his Proverbs 31 wife, where together they have brought up three incredible children. He strives each day to live out his call to be a man of words. You can learn more about Mark and his writing at www.wordsnvisions.com.
