How Does Jesus’ Thirst Inform My Life?
“The ‘living water,’ the Holy Spirit, the Gift of the Risen One who comes to dwell in us, cleanses us, enlightens us, renews us, transforms us because rendering us partakers of the very life of God who is Love. This is why the Apostle Paul says that the Christian’s life is animated by the Spirit and by its fruits, which are ‘love, joy, peace, generosity, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control’ (Gal 5:22 -23)” (Pope Francis, General Address, May 8, 2013).
“I Thirst”: Using Our Gifts to Quench Christ’s Thirst
In a message by Pope St. John Paul II for Lent 1993, the great pope called the Church to reflect on Jesus’ words, “I thirst” (John 19:28) and “Give me a drink” (John 4:7). In these words, he wrote, ‘we hear a cry from the poor, especially those who did not have access to clean water’. In a subsequent letter to the Missionaries of Charity, St. Teresa of Calcutta (then simply known as Mother Teresa) elaborated on this message:
“‘I thirst’ is something much deeper than Jesus just 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.”
This Lent, Catholic Women in Business invites you to reflect with us on how Jesus thirsts for each one of us and how we can quench His thirst — through prayer, through sacrifice, through loving His children who are most in need (and there are so many this Lent in particular!). In our content this season, we’ll be exploring how, as Catholic professionals, we can begin to understand “who He wants to be” for us, “who He wants [us] to be for Him,” and how we can share His great love for us all with everyone we encounter.
In the midst of his passion, our savior experienced such a profound thirst that he cried out to express it. Even though every move must have been agony, he made the physical effort to shout out an even more pressing need — for his thirst to be satiated.
I imagine this moment was a confusing one for onlookers — memorable enough to be recorded alongside many more visceral and inexplicable moments that would stick in their memory, including promising the one crucified next to him that he would go to heaven! And yet, they remembered these two short words: “I thirst.”
The soldiers understood this thirst to be a physical thirst, so they offered him vinegar to reduce it. It’s strange that the people who were crucifying Him, who did not spare any physical torment, still tried to reduce his suffering of thirst. It must have been such a desperate call from the heart that even they heard it.
Jesus’ Thirst for Souls
Tradition has it that Jesus was thirsting for souls. In his passion, he died for our redemption — that we would no longer be slaves to sin, with our free will eroded and corrupted by being held to our previous poor choices. Instead, we are free to try again, do better, and live happy and contented lives. We are enormously privileged.
What do we do with our privilege? At work, in my daily life, do I hear the call of the Lord in the quiet of my heart? He still thirsts desperately, for us and for the people around us. I can reduce His thirst by offering Him more of my life and my time, being real in my prayer, and walking with Him as my companion in my day-to-day life.
Our Little Nudges
I also can hear His thirst for the people around me. He died for each colleague, customer, supplier, manager, and team member. They are all His precious children, and He died for love of them. Each day, we can respond to little nudges to love the people we work with — nudges to be kind, to be helpful, to listen and build genuine friendships, to put others first, and to bridge the gap when they are in need.
Nudges come in all shapes and forms — perhaps a thought to pray for a colleague or to say “God bless” at the end of a meeting, in the certain knowledge that they are not just words but a gift. Sometimes, a nudge is noticing that someone is tired and asking how they are or remembering that a colleague is interested in a particular subject and including them in a relevant opportunity. Sometimes, nudges are silent, and through friendship and care, we mediate God’s love in our interest and listening. Sometimes, a nudge might be feeling uncomfortable when there is gossip and mentioning some of the target’s positive characteristics.
These nudges are small reminders that we are the hands and feet of the Lord, bringing his sweetness to the people around us. We can hear His cry of thirst for others, and then we can choose to respond with love and care. As Pope Francis says, we are partakers of His divine nature, and by hearing His thirst for the people we live and work with, we can share in His divine life.
Rebecca Page-Tickell is an academic, HR practitioner and business psychologist. She has worked for many years across a variety of organizations, including consultancy and blue chip organizations. She has now settled into academia and loves the positive intent of the academic world as well as the opportunity to always be learning. Rebecca is halfway through her Ph.D. in higher education and is enormously grateful for the patience of her deacon husband and four grown-up children. She enjoys family time and loves being part of her local parish.