Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink.

John 8.37

I know that you are descendants of Abraham; yet you look for an opportunity to kill me, because there is no place in you for my word.

Who does not thirst?  How much do I thirst!  This thirst is both a great gift and a fundamental part of our nature, made as we are for the Word.  I believe in you, Jesus, yet so often I do not drink.  So often I am offered the world’s sustenance and I partake and so slowly become enslaved to it, for “whoever commits sin is a slave to sin.” (John 8.34)  Release me more and more from the world of sense, so that there may be room in me for your Word.

What a fearsome thing, to have no room in us for the word!  Those whom Jesus spoke to who did not have that room in them tried to kill him because of that very fact (John 8.37).  In the same way we vanquish the Spirit of Truth dwelling in us when we do not heed the Father’s invitations and quiet whisperings to adore his word in our hearts.  Yet how can we adore if we do not hear?  And how can the word be heard unless it is proclaimed?  And how shall it be proclaimed if we do not live it for others?  If we read and daily meditate on the word we shall participate in the Son’s redemptive work, for “out of the believers heart shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7.38).

I believe, I adore, I serve, I obey, I drink.

I ask pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not serve, do not obey and do not drink. (adapted from the prayer of the angel at Fatima, Portugal)