Both readings today speak of life-giving water: the first reading speaks of water from the Temple which gives life to fruit trees and plants; the Gospel reading speaks of an extraordinary pool with special healing power.
In the Gospel reading Jesus cured the sick man but enraged the Jews because he healed on the sabbath and told the cured man to take up his mat, something not allowed on the sabbath.
The Jews did not appreciate Jesus’ kindness when he cured the man sick for thirty-eight years: all they saw was Jesus violating the sabbath. How much do we appreciate God’s continuing goodness and care for us? Are we hypocrites like the Jewish leaders?
