Prayer:
O Jesus, give me the Living Water of the Holy Spirit.
Imagination:
Picture Jesus teaching in the Temple.
Context:
On the seventh (final) day of the Feast of Tabernacles, a vessel of water from the pool of Siloam is brought to the temple and poured out before the altar of burnt offerings. Using this backdrop, Jesus promises the living waters of the Spirit.
Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud.)
On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. As scripture says, ‘Whoever believes in me, rivers of living water shall flow within him.’”
He said this about the Spirit, which those who came to believe in him were going to receive. There was, or course, no Spirit as yet, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.
Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)
- Jesus waits for the most dramatic moment to give his solemn promise.
- At the well in Samaria, He spoke privately to the woman about living waters. Now, he offers these living waters to the whole world.
- These waters are the Holy Spirit, who now fills the earth.
- Jesus only promises the spirit because he had not risen, as yet.
- Now, Jesus is glorified and he pours out the Spirit on all believers.
Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)
- What an invitation! You say, “Whoever believes.” That includes me.
- O Jesus, only you can give living waters.
- Pour out your Spirit, Jesus and make me a member of your Kingdom.
- You give Your Spirit in my every prayer, in every sacrament and in every holy desire.
- Come Holy Spirit. Come Living Waters. I will drink and thirst forever more.
Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)
+ I will say again and again, “Come, Holy Spirit.”
+ I will stop drinking of the wrong water.
Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)
There was no Spirit as yet because Jesus had not yet been glorified.