Jesus cleanses the temple, boldly confronting corruption with prophetic zeal—an act that leads him toward his crucifixion.
Then he brought me back to the temple entrance; water was flowing from beneath the temple threshold toward the east, as the temple faced that direction. The water came down from the south end of the threshold, south of the altar. He then led me out via the north gate around to the outer gate facing east, where the water was coming out on the south side.
He said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah; and when it enters the sea, the sea of stagnant waters, the water will become fresh.
Wherever the river flows, every living creature will thrive, and there will be an abundance of fish. The river will bring life wherever it goes.
On both sides of the riverbank, all kinds of trees will grow, producing food. Their leaves will never wither, nor will their fruit fail; they will bear fresh fruit every month because the water flows from the sanctuary.
Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.
Therefore, we will not fear, even if the earth changes, the mountains shake in the heart of the sea, or its waters roar and foam; even if the mountains tremble with tumult.
This reflection highlights Jesus’ cleansing of the temple as a prophetic act and offers a vision of life-giving waters flowing from the sanctuary, symbolizing renewal and healing amid upheaval.