|
The Gospel message
this week calls us to continue our Lenten journey and to turn up the steam as we
dig deeper and more sincerely into the dark places of our lives
and relationships. We have looked closely so far this Lent at
temptation and prayer and this week we encounter the Samaritan
woman at the well.
We
see that the Samaritan woman went to draw water at the well when
the sun was at the highest point in the sky. Most women came
during the early hours of the day; some would come later in the
evening. On this day though, she came at noon when it was the
hottest and unbearable.
There are many reasons why she came during this time of day.
Perhaps there was something in her life and relationships that
she was hiding from, something of which she was embarrassed or
shameful. Possibly there was some unattended business that she
had not resolved; something that she was supposed to have done
but had failed to do. Maybe she avoided contact with others
because she feared being treated badly or she feared rejection
if they knew the truth. It could have been that she felt ugly
or undesirable, unworthy or unlovable.
Whatever her excuses or problems were, by her coming to the well
at noon when no one else would have been there is a clear
indication that something was wrong in her life, something was
missing. Instead of reaching out to another person for help,
support and understanding she withdrew into herself, into her
guilt and avoided receiving what she needed most.
When she arrived at the well something miraculous happened to
her. She encountered our Lord and Savior. She had come not
wanting to be seen or known but Jesus showed her he knew her
well, her emotional needs, her innermost thoughts and her
deepest longings. He showed her he knew for what she most
thirsted. He showed her she was worthy of being in the presence
of another human being, someone special even.
At
first she refused and turned away but Jesus showed her he
understood and gave her love and mercy. In the darkness of her
life and relationship Jesus became the light of reconciliation
for her. He showed her the way into a holy, healthy and happy
existence, rightly ordered to God and others.
Immediately, she
wanted to rejoice and share the Good news with others. Jesus
wants to do the same for each of us. Through the forgiveness of
sins Jesus will make us worthy. Jesus will heal all that
separates us from what we need most. Jesus will be the light in
the darkness of our lives and relationships when we open our
hearts and minds to him and rejoice in his presence.
With faith, hope and love,
Father Steven C. Rogers
|
