tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129333277189264024.post3218457114229991176..comments2024-01-31T06:40:32.854-08:00Comments on Companions on a Faith Journey: March 19, 2017 - The Samaritan WomanSister Annette Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14994000378337080291noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129333277189264024.post-24275523446472096112017-03-15T06:14:35.812-07:002017-03-15T06:14:35.812-07:00The story of The Woman at the Well holds significa...The story of The Woman at the Well holds significant meaning for me because I, too, am that woman. Perhaps she is unnamed because she represents many of us who long for truth, validation, acceptance – who thirst for more.<br />The well, for the women who drew their water from it, could be likened to the water cooler at the office. It was a gathering place where they would chat and catch up with one another’s lives while performing one of their daily tasks. The climate was very hot so most of the women would go early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat of the day. The woman in the gospel story, however, goes at high noon when the temperature is the highest. Trust me, she is not trying to sweat off a few pounds, she is intentionally avoiding the other women out of shame.<br />Little did she know that her entire life would change on the day she met Jesus at the well. Jesus was tired from traveling and he was thirsty. His simple request, “will you give me a drink” stirred up all sorts of sarcastic judgements from her – you’re a man, a Jew – I’m a Samaritan woman – How can you ask me for a drink?<br />Their conversation shifts as Jesus gently guides her through stages of deeper revelation of Who he is. Jesus invites the woman to explore her dryness and to acknowledge her thirst. He leads her to awareness of the deep well of life within her. Her suspicion of Jesus evolves into trust. Imagine how she must have felt in His Presence once she surrendered her resistance. It was probably the first time in many years that she felt valued and respected. <br />In that space she was able to confront that she was currently living in sin – perhaps she understood that, up until this moment, she had been trying to satisfy her inner thirst by external means – it sounds as though she freely entered into relationships without taking the time to process what she was truly yearning for. I tried to fill my insatiable interior thirst with superficial relationships only to find that it led to even deeper discontent. I have since come to know that such depth of satisfaction and fulfilment comes only through a relationship with God. The woman at the well comes to recognize Jesus as the Messiah.<br />Once she experienced the gift of God’s grace through her encounter with Christ she left her water jar and went into town to urge her neighbors – the very ones who shunned her – “Come see a man who told me everything I have done. Could he possibly be the Christ?” Because of her testimony many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in Jesus.<br />My guess would have it that she soon rejoined her community as a respected member. She most likely ended her living arrangement with the man, and that the conversations at the well were filled with tales of conversion and hope. Once the woman opened herself to receiving grace she no longer thirsted. Her fear, shame and humiliation went away once she confronted her sin and embraced the Light of Christ. On that day she embarked on a new path of life leading to wholeness and aliveness.<br />When we find ourselves feeling discontent, restless, stressed out, empty, searching for comfort…let us remember to turn within and enter into communion with Christ. Jesus is the Living Water waiting to quench out thirsts.<br /><br /> <br />Pathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15183102502129500705noreply@blogger.com