Ezekiel saw a vision of a miraculous trickle of water flowing from the Temple and becoming a great river of life. John, the apostle and the evangelist, saw the same river as a picture of heaven (Rv 22:1ff).

By baptizing us and giving us a new nature, Jesus has made our bodies temples of the Holy Spirit (see 1 Cor 6:19). He promises that rivers of living water will flow from within Him and us (Jn 7:38). As temples of the Holy Spirit, we have within us the living waters of the Holy Spirit, "a fountain within [us], leaping up to provide eternal life" (Jn 4:14).

As temples of the Holy Spirit, our bodies are like movable baptismal fonts. Most people of the world at this point have not received the major event and transformation in life, which is Baptism. Even many of the two billion people who are baptized are not living their Baptisms. Under these circumstances, much of our world is comprised of cultures of death. Too many are the dry, dead bones which Ezekiel envisioned (Ez 37:1ff). In this desolation, we need the living waters of Baptism. We need temples of the Holy Spirit who help the Spirit send forth the waters of life. We need moving baptismal fonts bringing life to the most desolate places. Renew and live your Baptism fully.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Richard Walling, July 18, 2003

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 24, 2003