Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
Jn 19: 25-34
I Thirst
As we leave the Easter season and embrace Ordinary Time, today’s readings invite us once again to reflect on the death of Christ. In today’s Gospel, we stand with Jesus’ family and friends at the crucifixion. Despite the sorrow of this scene, there is something absolutely beautiful about today’s reading, and that is Jesus’ proclamation of “I thirst.”
Jesus’ words invite us to consider what it is we not only desire in our life right now, but the things we need. During the liturgical season of Ordinary Time, what is it that you are thirsting for? What is it that you desire for Jesus to satisfy in your life? What is it you are asking of him?
Boldly proclaim that alongside Jesus by saying, “I thirst.”
—Lindsay Horn is an Associate Director of Youth Ministry at the Jesuit Spiritual Center in Milford, Ohio.
Prayer
St. Teresa of Calcutta often pondered on Jesus’ words, “I thirst.” Through her intercession, let us offer this prayer to God, boldly proclaiming our desires before him.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta,
On the train to Darjeeling
You heard what so many human hearts long to hear:
The voice of God.
Through the seed of his Word
You built a movement the world has rarely seen
And so longs for
A movement of mercy
A movement of compassion
A movement of hope shining in the darkest places.
And in each of your Sisters’ chapels around the world
There hangs a crucifix:
The suffering, dying Christ
And the words, “I thirst.”
These words, a call to action.
We gaze upon your example
Walking off the safe path
To risk all in doing the will of the Lord
For the poorest of the poor.
And we hear the agonizing cry of the one who called upon you: “I thirst.”
Have we too not heard the voice of God?
Mother Teresa, you know our hearts
Crying for the one who cries for us.
And as we respond to this cry
In our prayers and in our works,
We ask your intercession:
Mother Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us.
Amen
—Lindsay Horn, with a prayer from CRS inspired by Mother Teresa