Wherever the river flows, every sort of living creature shall live. Today’s First Reading from the prophet Ezekiel bears traces of the second creation story (cf. Genesis 2:4b-14). God created life. There was not a thing created by God which was against life. From the trees that dotted the Garden of Eden to the rivers that watered it, life was generated and sustained. Every living creature enjoyed the fullness of life which resulted from the harmony that existed in the garden. But all this changed when Adam and Eve rebelled against God and were ousted from the garden. The consequence of the ouster was the loss of the fullness of life that had been assured and guaranteed by dwelling in God’s presence. Adam and Eve had to work for their livelihood, and even then, the quality of that life was reduced somehow. Until their return to the dust from which they came, Adam and Eve (as well as their descendants) would have to contend with heartaches and challenges of every sort (cf. Genesis 3:16-19ab).
However, God was not going to alter the plan he had for creation because of Adam and Eve’s disobedience. The fullness of life which had been God’s gift to creation would still be possible, but only to those who cared to reach out for it. This fullness of life would be accessible in the Lord who was to be present to the people in his teachings and commands. To the recipients of Ezekiel’s preaching, the tangible presence of the Lord was the temple in Jerusalem. It was from the Lord who was present in the temple that waters of life would flow, waters whose contact with the people would bring healing to the many ailments that affected the quality of life of the community. For the community to once again enjoy the fullness of life that comes from God, it had to be permeated by the teachings of the Lord. The people had to once again hearken to the commands of the Lord if they were to be healed of their great ailment of rebellion.