Waterways and Highways

Coming to the City of God to be spiritually refreshed

11/09/2017

Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12 The angel brought me back to the entrance of the temple,  and I saw water flowing out from beneath the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the façade of the temple was toward the east; the water flowed down from the southern side of the temple, south of the altar. He led me outside by the north gate, and around to the outer gate facing the east, where I saw water trickling from the southern side. He said to me, "This water flows into the eastern district down upon the Arabah, and empties into the sea, the salt waters, which it makes fresh. Wherever the river flows, every sort of living creature that can multiply shall live, and there shall be abundant fish, for wherever this water comes the sea shall be made fresh. Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of every kind shall grow; their leaves shall not fade, nor their fruit fail. Every month they shall bear fresh fruit, for they shall be watered by the flow from the sanctuary. Their fruit shall serve for food, and their leaves for medicine."

       Let’s begin with a little geography quiz of great cities on great rivers. To make this easier, we’ll make these capital cities. What city is called the “City of Light” and located on the Seine River in France? Paris. What ancient city is located on the Nile River in Egypt? Cairo. In the Middle East what city is found along the Tigris River of Iraq? Baghdad. How about the Eternal City on the Tiber River in Italy? Rome (aka, Catholic HQ). And lastly, what great city is located along the Arkansas River in Arkansas? Fort Smith. Okay, Fort Smith not a capital, but maybe it should be?!

       Now, why are these great cities located on these great rivers? Well, for the longest time – long before planes, trains and automobiles – rivers were not only waterways, they were highways that moved men and merchandise from one location to another. Think of these major rivers like the arteries and veins of running through your body carrying everything necessary for life. So, too, these rivers run through the body politic carrying what’s needed for our social and communal life. If you’ve ever sat along the Arkansas River in Fort Smith, you’ll soon see huge barges that still carry men and merchandise from Point A to Point B. Rivers are not only scenic waterways, they are also essential highways.

       In the first reading today, Ezekiel sees that a waterway serves also as a highway for the City of God. Now, you have to remember that in the imagery of the Old Testament, a city and a temple were interchangeable realities and concepts; one was easily substituted for the other. So, when Ezekiel sees a “Temple,” we should also think “City.” Ezekiel sees a river flowing out from the Temple (City) and an angel explains what’s happening, saying: “Wherever the river flows, every sort of living creature that can multiply shall live…Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of every kind shall grow…This water flows into the eastern district down upon the Arabah, and empties into the sea, the salt waters, which it makes fresh.” In other words, this river running through the City of God, the Temple, also carries the life-blood of creation and renews everything it touches, not transporting men and merchandise like earthly cities do, but God’s grace and goodness. Ezekiel doesn’t just see a waterway for good trout fishing, he sees a highway of holiness, where God’s grace touches the salt water of our lives and makes it fresh water.

        Today, think of the areas of your life that are like “salt water,” your frustrations, your failures, your foolishness. Maybe your salt water is a professional set-back: a lost job, a career change, even retirement: husbands look forward to retirement, wives do not. Perhaps your salt water is more personal: a marriage that ended in divorce, dealing with estrangement from family or friends, coping with illness or addictions.  The opiod addiction is becoming a national epidemic.  Finally, your salt water may be spiritual in nature: doubts of faith, feeling far from God, feeling like no one understands or cares about you as a person. Even though people are super-saturated with social media and always “connected,” some of those same people have never felt so alone, lonely and isolated.  In fact, suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15 to 24 year-olds.  When you feel your life turning into lifeless salt water, come to the City of God, the Temple, the Church, which is built like all great cities, on a “waterway” that’s really a “highway” of holiness and healing. The angel told Ezekiel: “This water flows…and empties into the sea, the salt waters, which it makes fresh.”

        Some of you may soon be traveling for the Thanksgiving holidays. As you travel around the country or around the world, and see different cities, try to notice how many of them are built along rivers. Ask yourself: why are they built along rivers? Now you know the answer: because these waterways are also highways carrying the life-blood of our society. The same is true for the City of God.

Praised be Jesus Christ!