Ken Overberg, S.J.

Third Sunday of Lent,  March 15, 2009
 
Today and on the next two Sundays of Scrutinies, the Church allows us to use the readings from cycle A, the magnificent scenes from John’s Gospel, to help us reflect on faith.  These three stories—the woman at the well, the man born blind, and the raising of Lazarus—can enrich the lives not only of our elect but also of all of us.  Coming to faith, the maturing of faith in suffering, faith confronting death: these are the essentials of the three stories. Symbols of water, sight, and life remind us of Baptism and encourage us to move to a profound level of meaning, through all the wonderful details of the stories.  So today we will hear the story of Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, a marvelous scene with its dramatic structure and misunderstandings and layers of meanings.
 
Scripture scholar Ray Brown has called John’s whole gospel the autobiography of the Johannine community.  Today’s gospel drama likely did not happen in Jesus’ life.  But it did happen in the life of John’s community, when a group of Samaritans became part of that community.  And remember, there was no such thing as a “good Samaritan.” The Jews and Samaritans hated each other, even desecrating the other’s temple.  But now they were part of one community, bringing together their traditions, reformed by their experience of the risen Jesus.
 
The first reading, from Exodus, also emphasizes the rich symbol of water, life in the midst of desert, faith in the midst of grumbling.  In the second reading, from Paul, we hear a traditional Lenten theme that Jesus died for our sins.  So it is good to be reminded that we do not have to believe in a god of wrath and ransom, of atonement and expiation. Our scriptures and tradition also reveal a God of compassion and love, of gentleness and nonviolence—this is the Abba God, it seems, who was the heart and center of Jesus’ life.
 
Savor the richness of our readings and the Scrutinies.  Take in the nourishment where you can.  Perhaps a particular image or point will be just what you need today, this week, this Lent.
 

Let’s listen to God’s word!
 
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From today’s wealth of images and insights, I’d like to suggest that we pause at the edge of Jacob’s well.  Let’s sit there for a few moments.  At the end of the gospel the Samaritans proclaim that they have come to believe, not just because of the woman’s testimony, but because of their encounter with Jesus.  Many if not most of us first believed because someone told us to believe.  But finally, for many, that is not enough.  At some point, the stories and rituals, our family and friends, some event in life itself have led us into Holy Mystery, have led us into an encounter with Jesus.  Our belief is rooted in our experience.  Still, like the woman at the well we can set up obstacles; or, simply, routine can numb us.  So Lent and these gospels on faith invite us to renewal and refreshment, to new life and recommitment—or, for the elect, commitment--to our Baptism this Easter.
 
So pause and ponder:  what was the “Jacob’s well” in your life where you met Jesus? What are the obstacles to faith? Where have you become numb? Where do you now search for living water?