Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection March 17, 2026

17th March 2026 (Tuesday)

Psalter: Week 4

Readings of the Day

First Reading: Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12

In those days: [The Angel] brought me back to the door of the temple, and behold, water was issuing from below the threshold of the temple towards the east (for the temple faced east). The water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar. Then he brought me out by way of the north gate and led me round on the outside to the outer gate that faces towards the east; and behold, the water was trickling out on the south side. Going on eastwards with a measuring line in his hand, the man measured a thousand cubits, and then led me through the water, and it was ankle-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water, and it was knee-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water, and it was waist-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had risen. It was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be passed through. And he said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” Then he led me back to the bank of the river. As I went back, I saw on the bank of the river very many trees on one side and on the other. And he said to me, “This water flows towards the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, and enters the sea; when the water flows into the sea, the water will become fresh. And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish. For this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes. And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.”

Psalm 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9 (R. 8)

R/. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Gospel Acclamation

V/. Glory and praise to you, O Christ

R/. Glory and praise to you, O Christ

V/. Create a pure heart for me, O God; restore in me the joy of your salvation.

R/. Glory and praise to you, O Christ

Gospel: John 5:1-16

There was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’” They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. Afterwards Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath.

Daily Gospel Reflection

Tuesday – Fourth Week of Lent

Main Point: We won’t stay unwell or incapacitated if we let God’s grace come upon us. We’ll recover and resume our energetic gait.

1. Water is mentioned in both the Ezekiel and John’s gospel readings. It is a pool in the gospel and a temple river in the earlier. The resurgence and therapeutic properties of the water are frequent. Everything lives, stays fresh, develops, and produces fruit where the river runs. Additionally, any invalid who enters the pool is healed.

2. The water represents the grace of God. It is always accessible and flowing. However, since they are invalid, many do not reach there. This impairment is now spiritual rather than physical. Jesus instructs the cured ill, “Sin no more, that nothing worse can happen to you,” for this reason.

3. We don’t have to assume that his fault made him invalid. It is a potentiality. However, it is more crucial to remember that sin invalidates us. It renders us motionless and indifferent to God’s mercy. We are invalidated and sickened by sin.

4. We must immerse ourselves in the rivers of grace in order to find healing. 38 years of infirmity is a startling amount of time. After 38 years at the side of the healing pool, the guy was still unhealed.

5. This delay demonstrates the insensitivity of those who failed to assist him un getting into the pool. This handicapped guy lost in the tough race to become well. However, we also need to recognize his tenacity and unwavering optimism. He never quits trying and never gives up.

6. Since everyone wants to be well, Jesus’ inquiry, “Do you want to be healed?” seems absurd. The key here is that we must want to be healed on a personal level. We must sense the need for healing. We have to want to get out of bed and go for a stroll. To get out of our beds of carelessness, apathy, and laziness, we must shake off our sluggishness.

My Practice: Do I want to leave my comfortable and convenient bed because I’ve been living with sin for too long? Do I acknowledge that I fail in my passion for God and others and am invalid in a lot of ways?