The Right Medicine
April 9, 2025
By Fr. Christopher Kubat, M.D.
In the 47th chapter of the book of the prophet Ezekiel, the prophet saw a vision of water flowing out of the threshold of the temple toward the east. As he walked and walked, the flow of water became deeper and deeper until it became a large river. Along the shore were many trees bearing fruit every month, in season and out of season. Some of the fruit was used for medicine.
What does this all mean? This prefigured greater things to come centuries later. The temple is Jesus Christ and out of his pierced side flowed blood and water representing the sacraments. The sacraments give us sanctifying grace, the very life of God, the real medicine, that leads to eternal life in the Spirit.
The most essential sacrament is Baptism, in which we become adopted sons and daughters of God the Father, and the most important sacrament is the Eucharist, the very flesh and blood of Jesus. If we consume this medicine regularly, along with going to the sacrament of Reconciliation, we will live forever (John 6:53-59; 20:22-23).
These are the fruits that flowed from the side of the body of Jesus Christ on the tree of life, the Cross. Yes, the sacraments give us real medicine, the right medicine, the medicine that counts. The package inserts from the manufacturer, the Bible, says they lead to life eternal, in heaven, where we will enjoy a moment of perfect happiness forever. Finally, we are the trees along the side of the river extending our roots into the stream. If we tap into the sacraments, we too will bear fruit in season and out of season by our acts of charity.
This is what we celebrate at Easter and during the Easter season. The ultimate end of our destiny, the resurrection from the dead and life everlasting. This is what we profess each Sunday and Solemnity when we profess the Creed. The next time we read this passage from Ezekiel, or hear it read at Mass, let us remember that this is fulfilled in our time by our celebration and participation in the sacraments.
As Ezekiel spread this incredible promise by writing it down, may we proclaim it to others. Then we will be true doctors recommending real medicine. My prayer is that all of the members of the Catholic Medical Association will have a blessed Easter and Easter season!