Friar’s Corner: All you who are thirsty, come to the water that you might have new life.

Isaiah 55:1-3; Psalms 145:8-9, 15-18; Romans 8:35, 37-39; Mt 14:13-21

"Come to Me," is a frequent theme throughout our scriptures. When Jesus began his public life, he was baptized in the river Jordan by St. John. As Jesus returned from his fast of forty days, he began to proclaim this theme: "Reform your lives! The kingdom of heaven is at hand," Matthew 4:17. Then he began to call his first followers: "Come after Me and I will make you fishers of men," Mt 4:19. The first four were called from the water they fished to the "living water." God said through Isaiah 55:1, today: "All you who are thirsty, come to the water." Jesus’ followers learned over time that he was the "living water" come down from heaven.

When Jesus was at Jacob’s well, in Samaritan territory, he tells a woman who came to draw water, "If only you recognized God’s gift, and who it is that is asking you for a drink, you would have asked him instead and he would have given you living water," in John 4:10. Jesus goes on to tell the woman, in verse 14: "Whoever drinks the water I give him will never be thirsty; no, the water I give shall become a fountain within him, leaping up to provide eternal life." This eternal life begins here with our baptism, our daily life in Christ’s church and if we are faithful goes on for eternity in heaven. Jesus said: "I am the way, truth and life," John 14:6. This is part of the "New Evangelization." Introducing people to Jesus.

Jesus is the source of this "living water." In Revelation 22:1-2 we read: "The angel then showed me the river of life-giving water, clear as crystal, which issued from the throne of God and of the Lamb and flowed down the middle of the streets (in heaven). On either side of the river grew the trees of life…." This water flows from heaven through the sacraments in the Church and from our prayer life. In the bread of life discourse of St. John 6:16: "Jesus explained to them: ‘I myself am the bread of life. No one who comes to me shall ever be hungry, no one who believes in me shall ever thirst." St. John further states in 7:37: "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me; let him drink who believes in me. Scripture has it: ‘From within him rivers of living water shall flow.’" This was quoting what I said above in John 4:10 and 14. Jesus invites us in Matthew’s gospel, 11:28: "Come to me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you."

There is so much more to say. When God made each of us he placed a deep longing in us for an intimate communion with himself. Our God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, are deeply in love with each of us. They want to form a love bond with us as they have with each other. That is what com and union mean. God wants to bless us and care for our needs. Yet we get so caught up in all the stuff of the world that often we don’t recognized the longing within us. Take some time each day to be quiet, pray to the Holy Spirit for enlightenment and then slowly read some Gospel stories. Look at how Jesus loved people. It is the same today. Ask Jesus to do the same for you. I am praying for all of you. Be the light and living water of Jesus in the world today. He can change the world through us if we keep saying our "yes" to Jesus as Mary did.

My book of the month is: "A Walk Through The New Catechism," (a summary outline and resource guide) by Fr. Bill McCarthy. Order your copy through My Father’s House, 39 N. Moodus Rd, P.O. Box 22, Moodus, Ct 06469, 860-873-1581. This is a short, easy read summary.

Peace and all good.
+ Fr. Bob Hilz

(© 2014 Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR)

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Nancy Ward

Nancy Ward writes about conversion, Christian community, and Catholicism. After earning a journalism degree, she worked for the Diocese of Dallas newspaper and the Archbishop Sheen Center for Evangelization, then began her own editing service. She’s a regular contributor to CatholicMom.com, SpiritualDirection.com, CatholicWritersGuild.com, NewEvangelizers.com and a contributing author to The Catholic Mom’s Prayer Companion. Now, through her Sharing Your Catholic Faith Story: Tools, Tips, and Testimonies workshops, retreats, book, and DVD, she shares her conversion story at Catholic parishes and conferences, equipping others to share their own stories.

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