John 7:37-39 and 8:12-20: Are You Thirsty? Discover the Living Water in Christ, Syro- Malabar ( Sunday, the 30th of March 2025)
Praise be to Jesus Christ.
Once, a person had to cross a desert, and unfortunately, he ran out of water. It was a dangerous situation as the fierce desert sun scorched the man leaving his lips dry and cracked. He was desperate for water to quench his raging thirst and tiredly walked for many hours in the hope of finding water. His desperate quest for water consumed his entire being as he could think of nothing else but to relieve his grave situation. Suddenly, he saw something that looked like an oasis in the distance and walked towards it with hope in his heart. Alas! It was only a mirage. As he slowly moved through the desert he was tormented by mirages of illusion. Just when he thought he could go no further and had almost given up on his hope for survival, to his great surprise, a stranger appeared, a man who seemed to come out of nowhere, and handed him a hand full of fresh, cool water. Although surprised, the man eagerly drank the cool water and as he drank he felt life returning to his patched body. He had never before truly appreciated the value of something as simple as a cup of water. He also understood that no mirage could ever satisfy his thirst; only genuine water could.
In today’s Gospel, we see Jesus crying out in a loud voice, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.” He is not speaking about physical thirst alone but about a deeper thirst—the thirst of the soul. Many in this world are thirsty for material things and yearn for wealth, for power and crave pleasure. They pursue money and prestige and are consumed and misguided in their false search which is only an illusion in reality. They are deceived by the false attractions the world encourages, believing that they will quench their thirst but they remain empty and unfulfilled. In the same way the man in the desert needed true, genuine water to survive, our souls also need the living water that only Christ can give.
History gives us examples of famous people who had everything—wealth, fame, admiration—but still felt empty. Some of them ended their lives in despair. Their thirst was never satisfied. However, as we look at the lives of saints we see a very different way of life. Saint Francis of Assisi was born into a rich family and although he had all that the world could offer, yet he was not satisfied. Eventually, he made a decision to give up his wealthy life-style and instead chose Jesus. He found true joy in his poverty. Saint Teresa of Avila’s apt words “God alone suffices” is a beautiful foundation for our lives. She was totally convinced that only God can satisfy and quench the thirst of every human heart.
The water that Jesus promises is, undoubtedly, the Holy Spirit and when we receive the Holy Spirit, we are filled with love, joy, and peace. These are the first three fruits of the Spirit, and if a person has them, they have everything. Even in the midst of trials, one who has the Holy Spirit can experience deep peace. No wealth or power can give this peace. Only the Spirit of God can fill a heart with love that forgives, joy that does not depend on circumstances, and peace that remains even in suffering.
This thirst Jesus speaks of is not new. In the Old Testament, we see the people of Israel wandering in the desert crying for water. God gave them water from the rock. That rock, according to many of the Biblical scholars, is a symbol of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ, who alone, without any doubt, can fully satisfy the thirst of our souls.
Jesus not only gives living water—he is the Light of the World. Just as water quenches thirst, light also removes darkness. A person walking in darkness stumbles and falls. But when light comes, everything is clear. In the same way, those who follow Jesus walk in the light. They do not stumble in the darkness of sin and confusion.
Today, as we reflect on this Gospel passage, Jesus invites every one of us to come to Him. At times, we feel thirsty and may long for many things of this world. Go to Jesus, in Him, we will have full satisfaction. Whenever we feel or experience darkness and confusion let us trust in Jesus, walk to Him, and find comfort in the Light of the world, our lord Jesus Christ. Let us be sure not to chase after the mirages of this world but to seek Him alone with all our hearts, for He alone truly satisfies.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ, my saviour, I come to You, quench my thirst with Your holy love, fill me with Your Holy Spirit, and lead me in Your light that I may feel full satisfaction. Amen.
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God Bless…
