the crucified orator 724 word ‘David’ means ‘strong hand’ or ‘desirable to see.’ This etymology points to Christ who is a strong hand because He conquered the devil, and distributed his spoils. He is desirable to see, for not only men but even Angels desire to see Him.”82 Thus, the thirsty David alludes to the thirsting Christ. However, so that we might more solidly understand the matter, we ought to reflect upon the meaning of the word “Bethlehem,” near whose gates is found this famous cistern, which inflamed in David — representing Christ — such a mysterious thirst. Gregory the Great says: “Bethlehem means the house of bread.”83 Near this bread, water is found: For the Lord Jesus was never hungry or thirsty for anything but for the salvation of souls. For that reason, when the disciples caringly urged Him once, “Rabbi, eat,” He said to them in response: “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” In order that they might better understand Him, He added: “My food is to do the will of [H]im who sent [M]e, and to accomplish [H]is work” (Jn 4:31-34). What kind of work? The famous Albert the Great says, “Calling men to conversion and bringing them back to the Father.”84 Therefore, when our Savior, in the person of David, desired water from the well of Bethlehem, “He hungered and thirsted not for human food and drink but for [our] salvation,” as the Bishop of Milan [St. Ambrose] noted. Allow me to examine this most powerful thirst for souls, which still torments the Son of God. Natural history scholars tell us that there is a kind of snake called dispades which, biting a man, injects into him such a harmful poisonous toxin that he suddenly has an intense desire to drink [water]. And although he would drink constantly, he will not quench his thirst. But let us return to our topic. That ancient serpent — the devil — when it bit the Progenitors of our race, released into them 82 The source of this text was not able to be found. 83 Gregorius Magnus, In I Reg. Expositiones, PL 79, n. 375. 84 Albertus Magnus, Enarrationes in Ioannem, In Evang. Ioannis, Ch. IV, p. 34. In: B. Alberti Magni Ratisbonensis Episcopi, Ordinis Praedicatorum Oper Omnia, Parisiis, vol. 24, p. 180.
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