​A small boy is sent to bed by his father for acting badly. Five minutes later…

“Da-ad…”

“What?”

“I’m thirsty. Can you bring drink of water?”

“No. You had your chance. Lights out.”

Five minutes later: “Da-aaaad…”

“WHAT?”

“I’m THIRSTY. Can I have a drink of water?”

“I told you NO! If you ask again, I’ll come over there and make you write 50 times ‘I will always obey my father.’”

Five minutes later…”Daaaa-aaaad…”

“WHAT!”

“On your way over to bring me a pen and paper, can you get me a drink of water?”

Did you know there is a disease call “adipsia”? The one who has adipsia has no sensation of being thirsty. (There is another disease called dysgeusia where you don’t feel hunger. I need that one.) Adipsia is life threatening because your body needs water but you don’t know it. I believe many suffer today from “spiritual adipsia.” They need God in their life but they don’t know it. They look for happiness everywhere else but God. They try to find it in money, lust, drugs, booze, bigger homes, buying expensive cars and collecting hundreds of antique radios that are a pain to sell. None of these will satisfy your thirst for peace nor fill your hunger for joy.

Jesus cries out that He has the answer for anyone who thirsts for joy, peace and love. “Jesus stood up and exclaimed, ‘Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink’.” (John 7:37) The word “exclaimed” means more than just shouting out. Jesus is pleading, almost begging anyone who hears come to Me and drink. How do I receive the Holy Spirit that Jesus offers?

First, you have to simply “ask.” “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13)

Second, Jesus says you have to believe in Him. “Rivers of living water will flow from within him who believes in me.” (John 7:38) You believe in Jesus when you submit your every thought, word and deed in obedience to His teachings. Your desire for the Holy Spirit combined with belief in Jesus will unleash a spiritual power so great that it will change you into an “Alter Christus,” “Another Christ.” The WWJD is more than a just a phrase on a T-shirt. It is a way of life. The WWJD should be lived out everyday. Your belief in Jesus should touch everything in your life – your work, your family, people in need and how to use the blessings God gives you.

Pope St. John XXIII was asked by a reporter, “How many people work in the Vatican?” Pope John replied, “Oh, about half of them.” When Jesus asks you this question in your judgement, which half will you be?

Blessings… Fr. Mike