Reflection
Without water life itself is impossible. Can you blame the Jewish people for complaining in the desert? In such dire straits they need a demonstration of God’s loving care. Upon God’s instruction, Moses strikes a rock and satisfies their thirst. Later in Exodus, however, the Chosen People forget their gracious God and turn to a man-made golden calf. Water from the earth cannot satisfy their real needs!
In today’s Gospel Jesus reminds the woman at the well that its water will only satisfy physical needs for a short time. He offers water that will lead to eternal life. Then He reveals his authority to make this remarkable offer by revealing His true identity. He had made veiled references when talking to Nicodemus and reading in the synagogue at Nazareth, but when the woman at the well mentions the coming Messiah, Jesus definitively states, “I am he!” He says it out loud for the first time!
Jesus makes His great announcement at an isolated well to a Samaritan woman — a low status member of a much-despised sect, and an adulteress, at that!
He breaks social norms just by speaking to her! Why?
Jesus is introducing Himself as a Messiah for ALL people! He spends His time ministering to Jews, Gentiles, Samaritans, Romans, foreigners, the rich, the poor, the educated, the illiterate, the disabled, the virtuous, the disreputable, and even the most grievous of sinners. As St. Paul told the Romans in today’s second reading, “God proves His love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.”
