+JMJ
A Meditation from the Continuation of the Gospel of Luke
My Lord continues His instruction on the theme of thirst as I continues through the Gospel of Luke. Jesus is sent from Pilate to Herod for judgement and last week He showed me the thirst He has for my heart. This week He reveals that I have the thirst in return for Him.
Jesus Brought Before Herod
But Pilate hearing Galilee, asked if the man were of Galilee? And when he understood that He was of Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him away to Herod, who was also himself at Jerusalem, in those days. And Herod, seeing Jesus, was very glad; for he was desirous of a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things of Him; and he hoped to see some sign wrought by Him. And he questioned Him in many words. But He answered him nothing. And the chief priests and the scribes stood by, earnestly accusing Him.
And Herod with his army set Him at nought, and mocked Him, putting on him a white garment, and sent him back to Pilate. And Herod and Pilate were made friends, that same day; for before they were enemies one to another. -Luke 23:6-12
My Contemplation
And my heart begins to thirst for Him, deepening with each step they take, moving Him farther and farther from me. I know where Herod is, so I make my way there.
I watch as Herod questions Jesus with the greatest interest, but full of disdain and ridicule. I watch in horror, at receive no response from Jesus, as they mock, spit, and strike Him repeatedly. I feel each blow as if it were put upon myself.
Then, Herod grows board and orders Him to be returned to Pilate. I realized i am still clutching the cup to my chest. There is food and drink everywhere because of the luxurious party Herod was holding. I cannot find any water, so I hurriedly pour some wine into my cup, and rush to meet them at the door.
They again, stop for me though the Jews fuss about it this time. The soldiers stand awkwardly as I again offer Him my cup, but He refuses it. But an understanding is infused into my heart. Nothing from the fruit of the vine…. (Luke 22:16)
He presses HIs forehead to mine instead and I am pricked by the thorns upon His head. He whispers, “Thank you.” Before He is wretched away from me and dragged back to Pilate.
My heart cries out to Him, filled with an agonizing love for Him. My heart parched with desire to be close to Him always.
It is sad how few of us actually realize what this thirst is in our lives. The enemy likes to twist this thirst for God into a desire for worldly things. We attempt to fulfill it with money, power, fame, material goods. There are any number of things we try to satisfy this thirst with and they are all wrong.
It will only be satisfied by our Lord. We were made in His image and therefore desire so deeply to be close to Him, to love and be loved by Him, and know who He made us to be. We need only offer ourselves completely to Him. The beautiful thing is that our Lord graciously accepts even the tiniest offering of affection and gives the vastness of His love in return.
Thrive in Jesus, my Friends!
How is the Lord specifically calling you to quench the thirst He has for you love? Leave me a comment and let me know!
New to Ignatian Contemplation? Start here!