Thirsty

On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.'” Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified. When they heard these words, some in the crowd said, “This is really the prophet.” Others said, “This is the Messiah.” But some asked, “Surely the Messiah does not come from Galilee, does he? Has not the scripture said that the Messiah is descended from David and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?” So there was a division in the crowd because of him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. Then the temple police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, “Why did you not arrest him?” The police answered, “Never has anyone spoken like this!” Then the Pharisees replied, “Surely you have not been deceived too, have you? Has any one of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, which does not know the law—they are accursed.” Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus before, and who was one of them, asked, “Our law does not judge people without first giving them a hearing to find out what they are doing, does it?” They replied, “Surely you are not also from Galilee, are you? Search and you will see that no prophet is to arise from Galilee.” John 7:37-52

Today began with rain and now it is snowing like crazy. We are in the midst of a nor'easter, winds pounding the coast and dumping gallons of rain and snow every minute. There seems to be no shortage of water. And yet, worldwide, there is a shortage of clean drinking water, and the poorest among us suffer greatly from the lack. We can also be thirsty for spiritual strength and support in our daily lives. Jesus offered that to the people, many of whom never got enough clean water to drink. For those of us fortunate to have clean water to drink, we are often those who are most spiritually deprived by our own negligence. May we draw near to the well of living water today.

Gracious Creator, you send rain and snow

to water our earth and provide for our crops

to slake our thirst and fill us with good food

yet we fail to seek you with our whole hearts.

You were tested,, poorly judged and dismissed

yet you did not fail to offer your love to all

even when we fail to recognize our need for you

your arms are open wide to receive each of us.

May we be so aware of our thirst and need today

that we run to your outstretched loving arms

may we be filled with your loving presence

and carry to a very lost and thirsty world. Amen.