Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/230



I. "  Jesus  knowing  that  all  things  were  now  accomplished, that  the  Scripture  might  be  fulfilled,  said,  I thirst." Christ experienced  a  twofold  thirst,  corporal and spiritual. His corporal  thirst  was  inflamed  by  His last night's  restless  watching,  His  interior  afflictions,  and the loss  of  so  much  blood. Our Lord  chose  to  undergo this torment  for  our  instruction. He who  "brought, forth  water  out  of  the  rock"  (Ps.  lxxvii.  16),  who  satisfied the thirsty  Israelites  in  the  desert,  and  who  supernaturally quenched the  thirst  of  Samson,  refused  this  indulgence to Himself. Learn hence  to  suffer  inconveniences  for  His sake.

II. " And  they  putting  a  sponge  full  of  vinegar  about hyssop,  offered  it  to  His  mouth,"  not  to  quench  but  to increase  His  thirst. What a  draught  was  this  for  the  Son of God,  "who  giveth  food  to  all  flesh"  (Ps.  cxxxv.  25),. "who openeth  His  hand,  and  filleth  every  creature  with blessings  everlasting." (Ps. cxliv.  16.)  How  different  is this  from  the  beverage  which  He  bestows  on  us  in  the holy Eucharist! Be ashamed  at  your  own  delicacy  in the  articles  of  eating  and  drinking;  and  reflecting  on the  thirst  of  your  Saviour  on  the  cross,  never  complain or express  dissatisfaction  at  any  inconvenience  to  which you may  be  subjected.

III. The spiritual  thirst  of  Christ  principally  regarded three objects. 1. He  ardently  desired  to  obey  His  heavenly Father  in  perfection,  and  to  accomplish  all  the prophecies which  had  been  uttered  respecting  Himself. 2. He  thirsted  for  more  sufferings,  hence  He  openly  proclaimed His  corporal  thirst,  in  order  that  His  pains  might