Vol. 15, No. 4, November, 2010

The Lord Will Answer Our Need!
by Sr. Brigid Meierotto, S.N.C.

In this teaching, we will accept the word of God, the Scriptures into our hearts and minds, letting them be light to us. The Scriptures are the inspired word of God which has the power to accomplish what it says, for us. Yes, for us, right here. right now!

The Scripture we are reflecting upon is Exodus 17; Romans 5:1-2; John 4:5-42. Read these passages slowly, prayerfully.

As you read the Scripture, in your heart ask the Holy Spirit to explain to you the message that the Lord has for you personally. Do not doubt that the Lord Jesus will do this for you, because that is why he came, so that you can get to know and to love Jesus. "These things I have spoken to you, while I am still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you" (John 14:25f). Ask the Holy Spirit what you expect from him...something like this: "O Holy Spirit, Jesus said that you would teach me all things and I believe him. Teach me that I can trust the Lord to answer my need! Teach me that the Lord will do the impossible in order to provide for all my needs! Teach me to love Jesus with my whole heart, filled with gratitude, giving him praise and adoration with every breath! Thank you, O Holy Spirit."

The Lord will answer our need -- the Lord will do the impossible to provide for us, to give us life and to save us from death.

In the book of Exodus, chapter seventeen, the Israelites are in the desert, escaping from slavery in Egypt -- and they have no water! The Lord has freed his people from slavery in Egypt, but now they are in danger of dying from thirst!

" The people found fault with Moses and said, 'Give us water to drink. And Moses said to them, "Why do you find fault with me? Why do you put the Lord to the proof?"

The people put the Lord to the test, by saying, "Is the Lord among us or not?"-- The Lord should prove that he is Lord, that he has the power to provide water for the people. "And the Lord said to Moses,

'Pass on before the people, taking with you some of the elders of Israel, and take in your hand the rod with which you struck the Nile, and go. Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, that the people may drink.'"

The Lord heard and answered -- Moses struck the rock and water poured out from the rock for the people to drink!

In the Gospel of John, chapter four, the Samaritan woman who was carrying on a conversation with Jesus at the well, was thirsty, too. Jesus told her --

"If you knew the gift of God, if you knew who I am, you would ask me and I would give you living water....whoever drinks of the water I give will never thirst -- the water I give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life!"

This living water is God's love poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, the gift of the Father -- given to us in Jesus.

The woman answered Jesus, "Give me this water so I won't thirst or have to draw water." Jesus knew the woman's spiritual need and told her, "Go, call your husband, and come here." She replied, "I have no husband," to which Jesus answered, "You have that right, you have had five husbands and the one you now have is not your husband." The woman acknowledged her sin and said, "I know the Messiah is coming -- he will show us everything."

Jesus told her, "I who speak to you am he."

The Lord shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Jesus died for us, to forgive our sins. While we were yet helpless, at the right time, Jesus died for the ungodly. Jesus has come to save us, to provide for all of our needs to give us new life, life abundantly!

Closing prayer: Thank you, Spirit of love, for teaching me that I can trust the Lord to answer my need! Teach me that the Lord will do the impossible in order to care for me, to provide for all my needs! Continue to teach me to love Jesus with my whole heart, filled with gratitude, giving him praise and adoration with every breath! Thank you, O Holy Spirit. Now the prayer to Mary: "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus! Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen!"