Today, most strive to base their lives around concrete evidence. If they cannot see it, they cannot believe it.
In that very world, Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist emerges as a profound cinematic journey that delves into the essence of belief, the Eucharistic mystery and the transformative power of encountering the divine in the ordinary. The film is produced by the Diocese of Orange and Spirit Filled Hearts Ministry, with guest appearances from Chris Stefanik, Curtis Martin, the Sisters of Life and many others who give witness to the power of Christ in the Eucharist.
The film begins with the jarring statistic that only 1/3 of U.S. Catholics believe in the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Many passersby interviewed on the street said that while they know the Eucharist is sacred to Catholics, it can only be a symbol and not the actual body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus. This is especially the case since the transubstantiation (the changing of one substance into another) from bread and wine into Jesus’ body and blood is not likely to occur from a scientific perspective, they said.
Jesus Thirstsalternates between interviews with priests, religious and laity, and the story of how Jesus established the Eucharist in the New Testament.
From a priest secretly celebrating Mass during the communist regime in Saigon (Vietnam) to finding Christ in prison to human blood materializing on a consecrated host in Lanciano (Italy), the film explores how we, as humans, have an unquenchable thirst for the divine.
Nonetheless, we often find ourselves trying to quench this thirst with fleeting desires that will never satisfy our need for God, who makes himself present in the Eucharist. Our preconceptions and biases often limit our perception of reality, leading us to ignore the divine present to us daily.
In a world where skepticism and doubt abound, Jesus Thirsts confronts the challenge of recognizing the divine presence amid the ordinary. Through evocative imagery and poignant storytelling, the film challenges viewers to look beyond the surface and perceive the hidden beauty within life’s mundane aspects.
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Jesus Thirsts illuminates the sacred connection between the material and the divine, inviting viewers to contemplate the reality veiled within the simple elements of bread and wine. Jesus uses the most ordinary foods of his time to reveal himself to his children. If we have trouble believing this, we must ask him to reveal himself to us.
Drawing inspiration from the biblical narrative, Jesus Thirsts parallels Christ’s earthly journey with the contemporary human experience. Much like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, those interviewed in the film share their transformative journeys of faith and how they encountered Christ in unexpected ways along the way. Through moments of revelation and epiphany, they realize that the divine presence is alive and active in the world around them.
On the road to Emmaus, the disciples could not see that Jesus was walking with them until he broke the bread and wine, and then “the veil over their eyes was lifted.” Today, even though we cannot see him, he stays with us, and we become more like him when we receive him.
The film explores the theme of men’s greatest quest: to encounter the Divine. While pagan mythology is a tale of humans’ quest to be gods, our Judeo-Christian history shows quite the opposite movement. God is on a quest for us – our God, who in the person of Jesus became one of us and who in the Eucharist deigns even further to become nourishment for us.
Through the shared act of breaking bread and sharing wine, the disciples on the road to Emmaus are drawn into a deeper relationship with one another and with the divine. It is a poignant reminder that, in the Eucharist, we are invited into communion with Christ and the entire body of believers.
In exploring the Eucharist as the “unveiling of Heaven, here on Earth,” Jesus Thirsts profoundly mediates the transformative power of encountering the divine in the ordinary. It is a film that challenges us to open our hearts and minds to the possibility of encountering Christ in unexpected places and invites us to embark on a journey of faith that leads us ever closer to the heart of God. As we journey alongside those whose testimonies are shared in Jesus Thirsts, may our eyes be opened to the presence of Christ in the breaking of the bread, and may our hearts be set ablaze with a love that knows no bounds.
At the Last Supper, when Jesus said, “Do this in memory of me,” he meant not as a memory but as a re-presentation of his sacrifice. Through this, he brings eternity into the present moment, and at the moment of consecration, it is as if we are with Jesus at the Last Supper.
Eucharistic Adoration is an extension of the Holy Mass when Heaven comes down to touch the Earth. It is our earthly celebration of a Heavenly battle already won for us. While watching the film, I longed to receive Jesus in the Eucharist so he could dwell in me.
During this Eucharist Revival, consider spending time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. He is longing to spend time with you!
Jesus Thirsts will land in theaters on June 4, 5, and 6. Screenings will be available at 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM in every time zone. The June 6th showings will be subtitled in Spanish, with a bonus presentation of Our Lady of Guadalupe: Woman of the Eucharist, produced by the Knights of Columbus, following directly afterwards.
