Every day of Lent, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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The pool at Bethesda was known for its healing qualities. From time to time a person was cured there by entering the pool “when the water is stirred up.” But apparently it is a one-person-only event with the rule of “First come, first served.”
Jesus came to this pool where he met a man who was sick for a very long time. Jesus asked him, “Do you want to be well?” The man told Jesus that “when the water is stirred up” no one is around to carry him into it. He said that when he starts to crawl to the water, “Someone else get down there before me.”
That was not the answer to Jesus’ question, however. Jesus had simply asked, “Do you want to be well?” He didn’t ask for an explanation or excuse of why the man couldn’t make it to the waters of the pool in time to be healed.
Even before the man could answer, “Yes, I want to be healed,” Jesus cured him on the spot. Jesus then talked about a more significant healing when he told him, “Look, you are well; do not sin anymore.”
The greater healing is in the depths of the soul – when a person is forgiven and is given the grace to choose right over wrong. Jesus himself is the pool of healing water that is offered to anyone who desires to come to him, without exception.
Let’s not make up excuses as to why we can’t find healing of the soul (I don’t have time to work on my problems; I don’t know how to go to Confession; I can’t figure out where to begin to turn myself around; No one supports me, etc...). Jesus doesn’t ask us “Why we aren’t healed yet.” He asks us, “Do you want to be made well?” Do you?