Anyone Who Is 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

Most Americans take for granted that they will have drinking water. In many places across the globe and here also, water is tainted and dangerous to drink. Throughout history wine and beer were drunk in place of contaminated waters. When I grew up the Hudson River was so very contaminated that no one would have thought to take a drink. Our reservation waters have been polluted by uranium and other mines, as well as the damage that pipelines have done to our waters. So being thirsty, really thirsty is a real problem and a real need. And it is Jesus who says he is living water, water not polluted or compromised, by refreshment from the heart of God. And he promised that we too would be sources of living waters.

Wondrous Creator, who fills the mighty oceans

and who make the waters lively and fresh

you concern is always for our health and thriving

your heart is always with the care of all peoples.

We humans have polluted and misused these gifts

we have tainted the water and scorched the earth

yet you would bring us renewal and slake of our thirst

and you will help us be living waters for others.

Give us the strength to put our discouragement away

and make us strong for the labor in the days ahead

so that the hungry might be fed, the thirsty refreshed

and all the earth know the loving heart of God. Amen.