The symbol of water features prominently in our readings today. In our first reading, the people of Israel encounter a lack of water on their journey and complain, even with the threat of violence. Jesus, in the gospel reading, asks for a drink after an exhausting journey, and then offers the woman living water. Life, as we all know, depends on water. There is no life without water. That is why we in California, for example, have been praying for adequate water and cautioning on the use of water in the face of the drought. Similarly, our Christian beginning is in the life of grace, starting with the water of baptism. The waters of baptism initiate us into a life of union with God in the Christian community, through which we are continually offered the living waters of the word of God and the sacraments to satiate our spiritual thirst.
Perhaps the woman in today’s gospel came to draw water at noon in order to avoid nasty looks or comments from the other women who may have looked down their noses at her because of her current unmarried situation. For any number of reasons, Jesus could have easily slipped away when she arrived. In addition to her unconventional living arrangements, she was a woman and a Samaritan. Jews had nothing to do with Samaritans, and men usually did not speak with women in public. Rabbis would not even talk with their own wives in public. But Jesus did not walk away. Rather, he asked for a drink.
We will never get to know the Lord if we don’t take time to talk with him. He doesn’t show up in radiant light or thunder and lightning. He comes in ordinary ways, in the guise of a friend or even an adversary, in the words from a book, especially the Book that we call by its Greek name, the Bible. He shows up in an assembly of believers and in such simple things as water, bread and wine. The important thing is to make time to listen, to respond, to have a conversation, to do more than just tell him what we want him to do for us. We never get to know anyone in life without spending time with them. If the Lord is important to us, we need to set time aside to spend with him; attending Stations of the Cross, visiting the sick, coming to daily Mass, visiting the Blessed Sacrament in adoration – to receive the living water from our God.
Fr. Gabriel Wankar
Priest-in-Residence