Day 17 - 40 Days of Prayer - Linda Badger Becker

Scripture: John 7: 37-38
According to John’s gospel, on the last day of the great Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. For the scripture says ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’ ”

Musings:
The Feast of Tabernacles was a time of great joy and celebration with much pomp and circumstance. It was one of the pilgrimages God’s people made to the Temple in Jerusalem. Imagine an eight day Thanksgiving holiday while camping. People took up residence in hand- built booths for the duration of the festival. You can read more about it in the book of Leviticus or look it up on the web.

One particular ritual was the water libation ceremony which began with the High Priest drawing water from the pool of Siloam in a golden pitcher. A procession of people accompanied the priest through the Water Gate of the Temple and up the altar ramp. People waved palm, willow, and myrtle branches, and sang psalms of praise, accompanied by trumpets and flutes. The procession circled the altar seven times, and the priest then poured the water from the golden pitcher into half of a divided silver bowl on the altar. He also poured wine from a silver pitcher into the other half of the bowl. Like I said, lots of pomp and circumstance … and rich with symbolism. It is believed that Jesus’ proclamation, “if anyone is thirsty, come to me!”, appropriately occurred following this ceremony.

So I am imagining another great pilgrimage of God’s people coming from east and west, this time to Minneapolis, to gather by the river as a great General Assembly with joy and celebration and, of course, with some pomp and circumstance. And I am also imagining Jesus standing in the midst calling to us “Are you thirsty? Come to me! Let all who believe in me, come and drink!”

Reflection: How thirsty are you? How will rivers of living water flow from your heart during those great eight days in July?

Prayer:
As we receive the water of life from Christ, indeed the very heart of Christ, may we become vessels of that life-giving water to others. May the Spirit of Christ fill us to overflowing with generosity of spirit, not only towards one another within this great family of faith, but, more importantly, towards our neighbors. God grant us grace to seek your peace. Amen.

Blessings,
Linda Badger Becker
General Presbyter
Presbytery of Genesee Valley
www.pbygenval.org