Being thirsty without access to something to drink is a horrible feeling. Your mouth is parched, you feel uncomfortable, sometimes your lips are dry and maybe cracked, and you seek something to drink. However, once you receive that drink, it tends to feel refreshing and even relaxing. Giving drink to the thirsty is one of the seven Corporal Works of Mercy. Now this may seem like an easy work to complete and one that you probably do regularly. Even though these actions may be intuitive, how can you, as a couple, grow closer together, to others, and to Jesus by giving drink to the thirsty?
Formation for Service to Families and Marriage is one of the three Pastoral Priorities of the Archdiocese. We are a faith community that accompanies families, fully recognizing the centrality of marriage and family in God’s plan.
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There are many ways to give drink to the thirsty. It may be as simple as getting someone a glass of water or filling up a water bottle for yourself, spouse, or children before they leave home. It could include making a coffee, tea, or hot chocolate for someone. Giving drink to the thirsty may also mean caring for your water supply by shutting off water when it’s not required, or using rain barrels to water your garden or plants. As you think of giving a drink to the thirsty, it is good to acknowledge the many ways that you are likely already doing this.
Giving drink to the thirsty can also be an opportunity to connect with others and be part of a ritual of connection with your spouse. At a meal, can you make a toast to celebrate each family member, especially your spouse? Thanksgiving will be celebrated soon, which may be an opportunity to share with your family what you are thankful for in each person for who they are. It can be easy to focus on the negative; however, Thanksgiving can be a time to intentionally focus on the gifts God has bestowed on each person.
Moreover, you could get a comforting beverage and sit with Jesus during a time of prayer. St. Mother Teresa, whose feast day is Sept. 5 and founded of the Missionaries of Charity, had the words “I thirst” beside the crucifix in all the order’s chapels. She is known for focusing on Jesus’ thirst for every person.[1] It may be helpful to take some time to reflect on how Jesus also thirsts for you and your spouse. St. Mother Teresa said, “He thirsts for you. He loves you always, even when you don’t feel worthy. When not accepted by others, even by yourself sometimes—He is the one who always accepts you.”[2] You could take the opportunity to acknowledge this truth, talk with your spouse about the impact this has on your lives, and to pray in thanksgiving to Jesus for His love and acceptance of you and your spouse.
Furthermore, how can you sit and share a drink with your spouse? For example, with the cooler weather, sitting together with a warm beverage, taking time to listen to how your spouse is doing, and how they are feeling about something that is occurring in their lives. Other ways to give drink to the thirsty may include going out for coffee or tea to connect with someone, speaking with other people after Mass if coffee or juice is served, or paying for the next person’s coffee at a drive thru if you have some additional funds.
To acknowledge your spiritual thirst and ways you have responded to that thirst, you could take time to remember your baptism. You could have a conversation with your spouse and children about the sacrament and everyone’s baptism days. After all, baptism is where one is “plung[ed] into the water [that] symbolizes the catechumen’s burial into Christ’s death, from which he rises up by resurrection with him, as ‘a new creature,’”[3] and “wash[ed] of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”[4] You could celebrate the anniversary of each person’s baptism or celebrate everyone’s baptism once a year. You can also have holy water around your home to use to bless yourself, your spouse, or your children.
In addition, you can donate to an organization that provides clean well water, works to keep drinking water clean, assists people who do not have easy access to fresh, clean water, or gives water to people who are homeless. You could even collect bottled water to distribute to a shelter. Regardless of what you do, you could pray for people who don’t have fresh water to drink as you drink water or fill up a water bottle or pitcher. Finally, the USCCB recommends “mak[ing] an effort not to waste water. Remembering to turn off the water faucet when you are brushing your teeth or washing dishes can help, especially in regions suffering from drought.”[5]
Given these many ideas, perhaps you and your spouse could take some time to discuss them and pick one idea to try to implement over the next month. As you and your spouse strive to give drink to the thirsty, may you seek to not only provide physical drinks to your family or your greater community, try to connect with the one whom you are offering the drink to, and remember Jesus’ thirst for you both.
– Melissa Guzik is a registered psychologist who works in private practice in the Greater Edmonton area. She is the co-author of the Catholic marriage preparation and enrichment book and workbook To Know, Love, and Serve: A Path to Marital Fulfilment: 2nd Edition. Information about Melissa’s private practice can be found at www.melisssaguzik.com