the beatitudes, wednesday

Wednesday, November 18

Opening Prayer: You called, You cried, you shattered my deafness.  You sparkled, you blazed, You drove away my blindness.  You shed your fragrance, and I drew in my breath, and I pant for You.  I tasted and now I hunger and thirst.  You touched me, and now I burn with longing for your peace. (Confessions by St. Augustine)

Scripture: Matthew 5:6

Journal: What is your soul hungry and thirsty for these days?  What is the level of your hunger and thirst for righteousness?  Do you realize that that is the deepest longing of your soul?  What does it look like for Jesus to satisfy that hunger/thirst?

Reflection:

 

     “Are you thirsty?” said the Lion.

     “I’m dying of thirst,” said Jill.

     “Then drink,” said the Lion.

     “May I—could I—would you mind going away while I do?” said Jill.

     The Lion answered this only by a look and a very low growl.  And as Jill gazed at its motionless bulk, she realized that she might as well have asked the whole mountain to move aside for her convenience.

     The delicious rippling noise of the stream was driving her nearly frantic.

     “Will you promise not to—do anything to me, if I do come?”  said Jill.

     “I make no promise,” said the Lion.

     Jill was so thirsty now that, without noticing it, she had come a step nearer.

     “Do you eat little girls?” she said.

     “I have swallowed up girls and boys, women and men, kings and emperors, cities and realms,” said the Lion.  It didn’t say this as if it were boasting, nor as if it were sorry, nor as if it were angry.  It just said it.

     “I daren’t come and drink,” said Jill

     “Then you will die of thirst,” said the Lion.

     “Oh dear!” said Jill, coming another step nearer.  “I suppose I must go and look for another stream then.”

     “There is no other stream,” said the Lion. (The Silver Chair by C. S. Lewis) 

Prayer

Closing Prayer: O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more.  I am painfully conscious of my need for further grace.  I am ashamed of my lack of desire.  O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee;  I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. (The Pursuit of God by A. W. Tozer)