Third Sunday of Lent - A February 24, 2008

Exechiel 17:3-7 Romans 5:1-2, 5-8 John 4: 5-42

It does not take a great deal of thought to recognize the simple fact that the “lifestyle changes which we have experienced over the years are all around us. What we might have thought a few decades ago to be exceptional, or even thought to be impossible, are now taken for granted, especially by younger persons. Two of my favorite examples are television and telephones. In the example of televisions, whereas years ago there might have been one television in a house, now there can be a television set in virtually every room of a house. And as far as telephones, some might remember when there was one phone in the house, and it was part of a “party line” (try and explain that!). Now, it seems, if one does not have a personal phone that is taken virtually anywhere, that is considered being quite primitive.

Much the same thing can be said about so simple a matter as water. We all may realize that water is an important, essential element of daily living. This is especially apparent when it is hot or we are working or exercising. Now water is seen as almost a constant companion, available in so many different ways, carried with us in so many circumstances. We know, or we have been taught, that it is necessary for our physical health to keep our bodies hydrated. This is so not only when it might be obvious or necessary. It also appears to be a concern that is addressed almost constantly, whether we need it or not. It even seems as if the perceived need overrides whether it may be appropriate or not. I can think, for example, when water bottles are carried to and discarded at a wedding rehearsal.

This simple observation about the changes in our lifestyles in the world today might help give a better understanding of the message which can be taken from the story which St. John recorded from the ministry of Jesus which we heard this morning: the story of the woman, the Samaritan woman, at the well.

What this and the other accounts or messages which we heard the Scriptures today suggest to us is that there is a progression in the development of the understanding of God’s love.

There is the movement from the image of God’s goodness in providing water for the Chosen People in their essential need through imagery of St. Paul in describing that God’s love as being poured out to us in the presence of the Spirit like abundant water available to us to the description by Jesus of his ministry as being ever-present, life-changing, life-giving living water.

The point of this story ought not to be missed. It tells of meeting and talking with a Samaritan woman, an event almost forbidden in the society of Jesus’ time. It tells of meeting and talking with a woman whose race and religious belief made her to be both foreign and alien to the expected mission and work of Jesus. It tells of meeting and talking with a woman who, even in her own home town, was considered to be of questionable character.

What Jesus offers to this woman is available to all of us. Nothing prevents anyone from receiving it, if we are willing to accept it. The life-giving water of God’s love is available to her and is available to everyone. The life-giving water of God’s love is available not just now and then, but is essential for us at all times and in all places. The life-giving water of God’s love is available not just here and there, not just at this moment or that moment, but can be found, experienced and appreciated everywhere and in all aspects of our lives.

I would like to make a simple suggestion. In the simple image of bottled water which our current lifestyle seems to be carried everywhere, available everywhere and seen everywhere, we can observe a parable or reminder or a symbol. That bottled water can tell us of both the availability and the need which all of us have in our lives for the action, the power, the possibility of the reality of God’s love.