8. Meaning of the Title

[John]

8. What is the meaning behind the title "I Thirst"?

[Jill]

I don't have a clue; I hope someone can help. I suppose Rebecca is thirsting for love and Peter needs forgiveness for what he did to his brother, but I don't recall the words "I thirst" appearing in the narrative. Do they? Of course these are Jesus' words from the cross. Rebecca has some profound experience in gazing at a crucifix, but I don't understand what it is. She sees shadows that seem like angels? By the way, people who die get resurrected bodies in heaven, but they don't turn into angels. Angels are a whole different order of being created to serve and glorify God.

[Vincent]

"By the way, people who die get resurrected bodies in heaven, but they don't turn into angels. Angels are a whole different order of being created to serve and glorify God. "

I must have missed the part of the book that suggested otherwise.

[Jill]

sounds like she sees Monsignor as an angel, perhaps related to her meditation on the crucifix

[Gina]

Hi, everyone,

I had not planned to interject in the discussion, as it is really more for you. I am delighted that readers are actively engaging in conversation about my novel and would like to thank you for reading it. However, it seems that I should clarify a few things, as they pertain to my professional reputation. I'll start with this one, but will respond to some other threads shortly.

In regards to the angel issue, I am under the impression that Jill is referring to two different scenes. In the first one, it is Palm Sunday and Rebecca is meditating on the Crucifix during Mass. She sees shadows around the Cross that look like the wings of angels. Allow me to quote it here:

"On the Cross, the Beloved Son lay, arms outstretched, embracing humanity. The Sacrifice, a Sacrifice of Love. Yet behind that image were two images more, two gently-shaded shadows. The image closest to the Cross was of a lighter tone, almost fading away into the immaculate white of the wall; the other was slightly darker. And, together, the two soft forms, overlapping yet distinct, were like misty wings of silence, exquisitely-spun and spread full, surrounding our Lord in graceful symphony.

They were more than shadows cast by the figure on a wooden cross. They were His angels."

In this particular scene, there is no reference to Monsignor McGregor. In fact, at this point in the story, he had not yet passed away. Jill is absolutely right that humans do not become angels after death. However, Rebecca was simply observing that the shadows around the Cross resembled the wings of angels, which prompted her to envision Jesus surrounded by angels in Heaven. At the time, it was an image that provided comfort and joy to her, as she was worried about the well being of Peter. The image reminded her that God and His angels are always watching over us.

Since you mentioned Monsignor McGregor, I wonder if you also were referring to this scene in Ch. 25. It does not involve meditation on a Crucifix, but mentions the word "angel".

"Many friends. One in their Love.

For God.

And for His servants.

For Monsignor McGregor.

The passing of an angel.

My eyes grew moist. I turned to my dad, who stood on my left, his eyes glazed, his face drawn into an expressionless sadness."

In this instance, "angel" is being used in a non-literal sense (ie. to mean that Monsignor was a good, holy man). This scene was actually based on a real life experience, when my grandpa lost one of his best friends, a dear family friend who had baptized me.

[Gina]

Some great thoughts here. Interesting question, as well---the words "I Thirst" do appear in the narrative; however, their significance to the text is more in the meaning behind the words than their direct mention. It has a double meaning. In addition to their connection to the words that Jesus spoke from the Cross and His Sacrifice, they embody Rebecca's thirst for Truth in her life journey. While those two meanings were the intended ones, that does also, as you observed, connect to God's Love.