WHAT
DAILY CONVERSATION DO WE HAVE?
Where shall we find the faith-renewing
water we need? To whom shall we go?
These
next Sundays of Lent place three significant symbols of our faith before us:
water, light and life. The Gospel narrative today with the Samaritan woman is
about water which, from earliest times, has also been associated with
catechumens preparing for baptism. This story is also a favorite for many of
us. First, we can identify with Jesus' very human condition as He approaches
the well. He is tired from his travels and thirsty in a very arid place.
Second, we cherish the conversation between Him and the woman who arrives by
herself at midday to draw water. We feel as if we are given a privileged place,
and are allowed to listen in on a personal conversation. Of course, we soon
realize that it is not just a personal conversation at all, but is actually meant
for each of us listening in. We hear the story of a woman whose life changes
from unbelief to faith -- and still more --- she becomes an apostle to the
Samaritan people, one who proclaims Christ to others.
What is
true for the woman is true for us. In the midday heat of life, as we try to
live faithful lives, we find ourselves needing refreshment to stay the course
--indeed, to keep us even wanting to try! The struggle to live as Christians
can feel, at times, like a trek in a dry place. In daily life there often is
little around us that refreshes or supports our faith. Where shall we find the
faith-renewing water we need? To whom shall we go? Today's readings remind us.
The
first reading tells us of the thirst the people of Israel had. The story gets
right to the point. The people are thirsty and God gives them the water they
need. To their question, "Is the Lord in our midst or not?" the
answer is straightforward, "Yes, indeed!" God will not let these
people die in the desert. Paul shows us another way that God quenches our
thirst. He tells the Romans they are "justified by faith." We need
the water that cleanses us of sin and our alienation from God and from each
other. In our desert we could not provide that life-giving water, but God could
-- and did! Paul tells us of God's love for sinners and the free gift of faith
we have been given in the waters of baptism. In effect, Paul is answering our
question, "Is God in our midst, or not?" His answer is, "Yes
indeed!" When Paul tells the Romans they have been "justified by
faith," he is reminding them that the beginning of their new life, their
baptismal gift of faith, comes, not by their own efforts, but from God. Or, as
Jesus says in the Gospel, "If you knew the gift of God..." -- all is
gift. We can't make the gift happen; we can't produce water in our deserts, but
we need the gift to survive and to continue each day to take one more step to
life with God.
There
are lots of daily conversations we have: some are trivial -- to kill time.
Others are necessary -- we ask for directions; we call for a doctor's
appointment; ask a spouse to pick up a child after school; and so on. But other
conversations are more life-shaping, and we must have them: we make commitments
to one another; begin a new friendship; cement an old one; attempt to mend
divisions, etc. These are conversations of significance and they are essential
for our having a meaningful life. In today's Gospel we get to listen in on one
of these conversations because of who she is and who Jesus is, the conversation
goes quickly to the heart of the matter. It quickly addresses issues of
importance, like: Who am I? Where am I going? What am I doing? What change do I
need to make in my life? Am I happy with things as they are? These are significant
issues, perhaps not the stuff of most everyday conversations -- but
periodically we must address them. We need to stop the rush of our lives, sit
by some well of refreshment, as the woman did, take a breath, pause to reflect
by ourselves, or with someone who is significant and ask the questions that
count -- to have a "conversation of significance."
In the
responsorial psalm we acclaim: "If today you hear His voice, harden not
your hearts" (Ps 95.) For He is our God, and we are the people He loves and
shepherds. He never gives up on us and He guides us with His loving hand!
The
woman at the well had set a good example for us: she was willing to break the
pattern of her routine, ask important questions, listen to the answers and make
the adjustments necessary in her life. She is a word of encouragement for any
of us who might hold back or feel shy of having a completely open conversation
with Jesus. Her courage gives us courage; she prods our faith, as does Paul
today when he reminds us that "while we were still sinners Christ died for
us."
God
truly does deserve time with us each day in conversation...