I Thirst...

At the seminary, we are presented with several unique opportunities, partly because we live in a city that presents unique opportunities. One of these is to go with our Rector

on Friday mornings to Mass with the Missionaries of Charity, the religious order founded by Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta. In every chapel of that religious order, including the one here in Indianapolis, next to the Crucifix, in big, bold letters is the phrase "I THIRST", taken from John's account of the Crucifixion.

Mother Teresa had quite a devotion to this idea of Jesus' thirst. In a letter that she wrote to all the Sisters of her religious congregation, Mother Teresa said,

Why does Jesus say 'I thirst'? What does it mean? If you remember anything from Mother's letter, remember this: 'I Thirst' is something much deeper than just Jesus saying 'I love you'. Until you know deep inside that Jesus thirsts for you, you can't begin to know who He wants to be for you, or who He wants you to be for Him .

Right now, I'm in my last semester of college, and to be honest, it's weird. Today, I went to my last opening school Mass. It's weird doing things for the last time. But, it's also exciting. For some reason (hey Holy Spirit!) amongst all of this excitement and oddness at the beginning of my final semester of college, this idea of Christ's thirst has been with me, especially in my prayer time right before bed. This is, for me, a time of preparation--getting ready to move on from college seminary and continue my formation on my journey of seeking to do God's will, while at the same time, keeping in mind the need to stay present and continue working on myself and my relationship with God and others while I'm still here. Maybe Christ's thirst is in my thoughts and prayer because I need to keep in mind that everything I do is supposed to be for Him, and to strive to never forget His love for me.

I come from a somewhat artsy family--at least on my mother's side. My brothers have amazing artistic talent--talent I wish I had. But, I'm pretty good with a camera. Something I've never considered myself good at, however, is writing, particularly poetry. There was nothing more I hated in high school english classes than the times we worked on writing poetry. But, with this idea of Christ's thirst, words came to my heart. I don't know if I would call it a poem--some of the words rhyme, but in terms of poetry, I'm not sure how good it is, but I also don't really care. So, for the lack of knowing how to really give this an introduction, I'll just say, here's what's been on my heart...

"I thirst"

Simple words, spoken from the Cross, Spoken to fulfill the Scriptures and complete a meal Spoken for your salvation and for mine Fulfilled by a sponge soaked in wine "I thrist"

But He didn't thirst only for wine, No, He had a thirst for your soul, and for mine A thirst beyond comprehension A thirst of love to break the tension caused by the evil and sin all too present within our lives

"I thirst"

But His thirst didn't end when He was taken off the Cross, or even when He rose again His thirst continues today, and we are called to satisfy that thirst, each in our own way.

"I thirst"

For if we really believed when we say 'Amen' we would be willing to die for Him again and again

"I thirst"

Just as He died for us on the Cross, His mother enduring the ultimate loss only to become ours and our ultimate gain all because of His indescribable pain

"I thirst"

Our lives aren't ours; they're His That's something Mary knew, and until we recognize that fact we will, again and again succumb to the devil's attack "I thirst"

Yet we can always overcome by the love of the Father and the sacrfice of the Son "I thirst"

But we will only overcome when we accept that the devil hasn't won, when we accept that our life means more than senseless fun, but that His will and His will alone is what must be done "I thirst"

It won't always be easy but since when is life supposed to be? It sure wasn't easy when He hung on that Cross to die for you, and for me "I thirst"

But when it isn't easy, those times when it's hard, the saints are by our side, always keeping guard over our souls, that we may live and reach the goal of eternity with Him

"I thirst"

Just as He had thirst, now so do I, a thirst for joy, fulfillment, happiness, and peace that we can only get when His thirst is met "I thirst"

I thirst for Heaven I want to be a saint But I'll never get there if my heart is faint "I thirst"

I thirst for Him He thirsts for me and for you One thing we must never do is forget what he did for us out of nothing more than love, that moment when His heart burst when all was finished and He said "I thirst"