Love Like Water Reflection by Deanna Bartalini
Take a few minutes and listen to the song:
As I listened to the song, a few images from scripture came to mind. The great stream in Ezekiel, Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan, and the water which flowed from Jesus’ side on the cross.
God’s Promise for Us
In chapter 47 of Ezekiel the LORD shows him the prophet waters flowing from around the temple and then leads him into the water until he can no longer stand. Standing on the bank of the river, he sees fruit trees and is told that fish will be abundant; “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.” (Ez 47:9) That promise is for us as well. When God’s love touches as, when we allow it to flow freely over us like water over the earth, we are renewed.
Jesus’ baptism is recorded in Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11 and Luke 3:21-27, all have in common a voice from heaven saying “you are my beloved son in whom I am well pleased” after Jesus is baptized. God says the same thing about each of us. We are his beloved daughter or son and our very being pleases him.
His love for us caused him to give us Jesus and Jesus dying on the Cross saved us. His death gave us life. In John 19:34, a centurion pierces Jesus side to be sure he has died and blood and water flow out. Even before the image of Divine Mercy became popular, this was looked at as a symbol of both Baptism and Eucharist. The blood and water which flows from Jesus covers all of us in his love and mercy. In Baptism we are cleansed of original sin and in the Eucharist we are refreshed and strengthened.
Read, Reflect, and Pray:
All Rights Reserved Allison Gingras and Deanna Bartalini, 2016
Music copyright – Ben Walther Music
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Deanna Bartalini
For most of her life she has been a planner; however, the Holy Spirit usually intervenes, sometimes quite forcefully, and leads her to another path. Deanna is still learning to adjust to that fact; in her experience, when you put your trust in God he doesn’t let you down. It’s a lesson she learns often, sometimes daily.
She writes at deannabartalini.com, serves as the editor of the NewEvangelizers.comblog and is a contributor there as well as CatholicMom.com and AmazingCatechists.com.