The rich Gospel story in St. John of Jesus' Encounter with the Samaritan Woman, known in the Eastern Orthodox Church as St. Photine, "the Enligthened One", is not only fitting food for reflection for those preparing for Baptism, but for all of us who have been baptized. Jesus shows us how to approach "the unchurched", the "fallen away", the marginalized: with humility, sincerity, dialogue, and a gentle challenge focused on helping them discover "the Spirit and Truth." Jesus comes to the woman in need: he is thirsty. He broaches convention by asking a woman (a no-no in those days, and an outcast Samaritan besides), for a drink of the water she is drawing from the well. This leads to the notion of "the living water" and there proceeds into the heart of the woman and her past history. She is so deeply touched that she goes off to spread the word to the townspeople and bring them to hear Jesus themselves. She in turn becomes a messenger, an evangelizer. They become believers.
“Anyone who has truly experienced God’s saving love does not
need much time or lengthy training to go out and proclaim that love,”
writes Pope Francis. “Every Christian is a missionary to the extent that
he or she has encountered the love of God in Christ Jesus” (Evangelii
Gaudium, #120). Is this not our call? Can I speak about the love that has transformed me to others
in my family or workplace or neighborhood or parish? Food for thought and action.
Bro. Rene
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